A Michigan man imprisoned in Russia for more than a year on espionage charge and is scheduled to go to trial today. The family of Paul Whelan says being convicted of spying could open the way for his eventual release. Russia accuses Whelan of having a flash drive containing state secrets, but Whelan says he thought they were vacation photos.
A Moscow court’s extended Whelan’s detention numerous times, despite no concrete evidence presented against him. Now Moscow vows to proceed with his trial – which will be closed because it deals with espionage – even though the city itself is shut down due to the coronavirus.
Whelan’s twin, David, says a guilty verdict could give Russia the excuse it needs to use his brother as trade bait. He notes a Russian foreign minister floated the idea of exchanging an American for a Russian held by the U-S…but then added Whelan could not be traded because he had not yet been formally convicted of a crime.
