MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) - Paul Whelan, a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland convicted of spying in Russia, has likely been visited by Canadian Ambassador Alison LeClaire at the penitentiary in Mordovia, Paul's brother David Whelan said.
"We believe that on March 5 - Paul's 51st birthday! - Paul was visited by the Canadian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Alison LeClaire, and Consul Rebecca Braun. The Canadian Embassy hasn't confirmed the visit, so this is all third-hand," David told Interfax.
"As we understand it, Ambassador LeClaire visited with Paul, spoke with Warden [Vladimir] Denisov [the chief of the penitentiary administration] about Paul's mistreatment in the prison, and gave Paul a letter from Prime Minister [Justin] Trudeau," he said.
The day before, Paul Whelan also spoke on the phone with United States Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, David said.
On June 15, 2020, the Moscow City Court sentenced Whelan to 16 years in a high-security penitentiary on charges of espionage. Whelan was sent to serve his sentence at penal colony No.17 in Mordovia.
Whelan pleaded not guilty, but decided against appealing his sentence, as he hoped to be exchanged.
An informed source told Interfax that Whelan's exchange for a Russian citizen jailed in the U.S. is being discussed. Whelan's lawyers believe that this process might be accelerated under U.S. President Joe Biden.