Russian media: lawyer of detained US soldier Whelan investigates whereabouts
Amidst speculation about an impending prisoner exchange, the lawyer of former US soldier Paul Whelan, who is currently imprisoned in Russia, is checking on his whereabouts. As reported by Russian media on Wednesday, Whelan's lawyer Olga Karlova tried to find out where the former soldier, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage, is currently located.
"I have received inquiries from journalists asking where Paul (Whelan) is," Karlova told the Russian news agency Interfax. She sent a request to the administration of his penal colony, but has not received a response.
The 54-year-old former US soldier Whelan, who also holds British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship, has been in Russian custody since December 2018. Whelan denies the espionage charges against him and claims he was set up by an acquaintance.
In recent days, at least seven political prisoners have been moved in Russia, according to activists, sparking speculation about a possible upcoming prisoner exchange. Among the moved prisoners are Russian opposition figures and a German-Russian national convicted of treason.
Washington and Moscow are negotiating a swap involving US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously hinted that Gershkovich could be released as part of a prisoner exchange, mentioning the desired release of Russian national Vadim Krasikov, who is currently imprisoned in Germany for the so-called Tiergarten murder.
Karlova expressed interest to Interfax about Whelan's current location in his penal colony, as she hasn't received a response from the administration. Despite speculation of prisoner exchanges in Russia, Whelan's lawyer Olga Karlova has yet to receive information regarding his whereabouts.
