MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan has said he has been barred from the court hearing for suspected spy Paul Whelan.
"I came here today to attend the hearing for Paul Whelan, an American citizen who's been detained without evidence for 16 months, hasn't been able to communicate with his family," Sullivan told the press.
"I tried to get into the court to see if I could see Paul at a minimum before the hearing began, but I wasn't allowed into the courthouse," he said.
"It's disappointing that I can't see him today," the ambassador said.
"It's even more disappointing that he hasn't been able to speak to his family in 16 months, he hasn't been able to make a phone call to his elderly parents, his brother or sister," he said.
"He's got medical issues that haven't been treated, so I'm very concerned about Paul and his welfare. Paul needs to go home, that is the bottom line," Sullivan said.