About Paul Whelan
Help Paul Whelan
Day 25 - Paul Whelan - Lefortovo Prison Moscow - Update Jan 21, 2019 - gofundme campaign started
Now that Paul has started to receive consular support, and we know his health is being watched and that his rights are being looked after, our family has started crowdfunding to help Paul pay for his legal defense. The GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/freepaulwhelan) will raise funds to support him while he remains in prison and to pay the lawyer representing him.
We understand that there is a pre-trial bail hearing scheduled for tomorrow (January 22d) at Moscow City Court. A U.S. Embassy representative will attend public portions of the hearing.
The U.S. Embassy is attempting to reschedule its meeting with Paul from January 17th and we hope it will occur very soon. It is important that Paul continue to have consular access, particularly because the Russian government has still not granted access for either the UK or Canadian governments to see Paul.
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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