Russian Foreign Ministry Names Jailed British Spy As One Of Those Who Could Be Released In Biden Putin Prisoner Swap

Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

A British man who went to Russia for a friend’s wedding and was jailed as a spy could be freed as part of a deal between Putin and Biden.

Paul Whelan, 51, a British citizen, was detained and arrested by the FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) officers in Moscow on 28th December 2018 while ‘carrying out a spy action.’

A criminal case under the article’ espionage’ was initiated against Whelan. According to the intelligence service, he was engaged in espionage and had documents containing state secrets, However, Whelan’s family claims that he came to Moscow for the wedding of his friend and was not a spy.

Paul Whelan, 51, a British citizen, who received a prison sentence of 16-year in a Mordovian colony on 15th June 2020, asks help from US President Biden. (Newsflash)

He received a prison sentence of 16-year with the possibility of time in a labour camp on 15th June 2020.

In his last statement during the final hearing, Whelan said that he was not engaged in espionage in any way and pleaded not guilty. However, he decided not to appeal the verdict, as he hoped that he would be exchanged.

Recently, Whelan’s family revealed an audio recording of Whelan asking US President Biden for help. Whelan’s twin David explained to the media that the message was recorded from the Mordovian colony where Whelan is currently serving a sentence.

Paul Whelan, 51, a British citizen, who received a prison sentence of 16-year in a Mordovian colony on 15th June 2020, asks help from US President Biden. (Newsflash)

According to the report of news website Interfax’s report, Whelan, who also has a US passport, said the followings in the message: “President Biden, after 30 months of unfair imprisonment by the Russian authorities, I implore you to end this horrific example of hostage diplomacy. I am innocent. I have not committed espionage crimes.”

At a press conference following talks with his American counterpart Joe Biden in Geneva on 16th June, Russian President Vladimir Putin has now said that the leaders discussed a prisoner swap between Russia and the United States.

The head of the Russian state did not rule out that the parties could find acceptable compromises in this area.

Paul Whelan, 51, a British citizen, who received a prison sentence of 16-year in a Mordovian colony on 15th June 2020, asks help from US President Biden. (@paulnwhelan/Newsflash)

After the statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry has now named all of those held in Russian jails with US passports, with the list including Whelan, who could be eligible in any deal.

The ministry also added that there are about 100 Russians in American prisons.

Biden is reportedly currently evaluating the deal after describing the talks as “positive”.