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Day 62 - Paul Whelan - Lefortovo Prison Moscow - Update Feb 28, 2019 - FSB isolates Paul
Paul Whelan has been in Russian jail for 62 days today. During the past 2 months, the FSB investigator has failed to turn up any information to support the charges that he's a spy. Paul's defense team received some additional documentation from the investigator at Friday's [2/22] bail hearing. His defense lawyers say it doesn't contradict Paul's position that he was expecting photos to be on the USB. But the farce of a legal process continues.
The FSB investigator will be spending the next three months continuing to isolate Paul and, according to his defense lawyers, seems likely to pressure him to confess. The investigator is doing this by stopping Paul from communicating:
- no phone calls, even though other Lefortovo prisoners have phone access
- no personal letters are being given to Paul, whether sent by mail or hand-delivered by consular staff and given to prison officials (US and UK family has sent 100+ letters so far)
- no mail is being allowed from Paul, including his signed Privacy Act Waiver which still has not been sent to the U.S. Embassy
- no Power of Attorney, despite it being provided in parallel English and Russian translation
- no house arrest, despite a space being offered by Paul's lawyer and it being a frequent alternative to prison in Russia
- US consular officials are restricted in what and how they can communicate with Paul, meaning that he is unable to get full consular support
Every attempt at communicating with Paul is being hindered or outright blocked by the FSB investigator. We have encouraged Paul to stay strong and fight for his innocence, in messages we pass through his lawyers. But no American should be treated this way: wrongfully charged and in detention, while the Russian government has its way with the process without any response from the U.S. government.
It is time for the US government to act to protect Paul's rights and demand that the Russian government release Paul Whelan immediately.
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Is it safe to travel to Russia? What are the dangers?
If you are considering traveling to Russia on business or pleasure, it is best to keep up to date with the State Department travel advisories https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/russia-travel-advisory.html.
Currently the level of advisory for Americans traveling to Russia is Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution.
Here is an excerpt from the advisory - please read the entire US State Dept travel advisory to Russia to determine if you feel safe traveling:
Exercise increased caution in Russia due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel to:
The North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to terrorism, kidnapping, and risk of civil unrest.
Crimea due to Russia's occupation of the Ukrainian territory and abuses by its occupying authorities.
Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.
U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel, who are visiting or residing in Russia have been arbitrarily interrogated or detained by Russian officials and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. Russian officials may unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance to detained U.S. citizens. Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce the law against U.S. citizen religious workers and open questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity.
Russia enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Russian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge dual U.S.-Russia nationals' U.S. citizenship, including denying U.S. consular assistance to detained dual nationals, and preventing their departure from Russia.
Due to the Russian government-imposed reduction on U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia, the U.S. government may have delayed ability to provide services to U.S. citizens, especially in the Saint Petersburg area.
© 2019 Elizabeth R Whelan