MOSCOW. Sept 22 (Interfax) - U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan has visited Paul Whelan, a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland convicted of espionage in Russia and serving time in a penitentiary in Mordovia, the U.S. embassy said.
"Ambassador Sullivan visits U.S. citizen Paul Whelan, unjustly tried and convicted in a secret Russian trial, now held in a Russian penal colony. Paul Whelan is innocent, and should be free to return home to his family in the United States now," the embassy said on Twitter.
The tweet was accompanied by a photograph of Sullivan against the backdrop of a corrugated metal fence and a sign reading "17 High Security Prison" overtop a depiction of the Russian flag.
The embassy also quoted Sullivan as saying, "It was a relief to see him, though we're concerned about his health and safety. I reassured Paul that we will continue to advocate on his behalf until the Russian government lets Paul, an innocent American, go home."
On June 15, the Moscow City Court sentenced Whelan to 16 years in a high-security penitentiary on counts of espionage.
Whelan is serving time in Penitentiary No. 17 in Mordovia.
Whelan pleaded not guilty, but decided not to file an appeal, in hope of being exchanged.