Whelan’s lawyer Zherebenkov said he had not been able to visit Whelan for more than a month. Despite Whelan’s statement that “full” consular access was being denied, Zherebenkov also said a Canadian official visited him Thursday, and a U.S. official would next week.
In addition to being a U.S. citizen, Whelan has Canadian, British, and Irish passports. U.S. embassy officials were in the courtroom Friday for his hearing.
Yuri Kochetkov/EPA via Shutterstock, FILE
U.S. citizen Paul Whelan is pictured in court prior to a hearing at the Moscow City Court in Moscow, June 20, 2019.
A State Department spokesperson later told ABC News they were “aware” of the judge’s decision and “continue to urge the Russian government to guarantee a fair and transparent judicial process without undue delay.”
(MORE: Paul Whelan’s lawyer says he is a victim of a set up)
“We take allegations of mistreatment seriously and are deeply concerned with Mr. Whelan’s allegation of continuing mistreatment at his most recent hearing,” the spokesperson added, adding they have previously protested to the Foreign Ministry and asked them to investigate and ensure Whelan’s safety.
There was no comment on Whelan’s accusations of a “set-up” by the court and prosecutor, although the spokesperson noted “our concerns regarding the lack of evidence that has been presented.”
The judge denied Whelan’s motion to disqualify the prosecutor, calling it “unwarranted,” and requested an ambulance to evaluate his medical condition.
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
President Donald Trump, right, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019.
An ambulance arrived at the court, but paramedics said Whelan did not require hospitalization, and returned him to Lefortovo.
Some critics say the Trump administration has done little to pressure Moscow to present evidence against Whelan or release him.
(MORE: Trump says White House is helping rapper ASAP Rocky, who is being held in Sweden)
President Trump himself repeatedly tweeted about rapper A$AP Rocky’s case after he was arrested in Sweden, even calling the Swedish Prime Minister and sending Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert O’Brien to attend his trial. Earlier this month, Rocky was found guilty of assault during a Stockholm fight and given a two-year suspended sentence.
The families of other American citizens detained abroad, including the wife of Xiyue Wang, a Princeton PhD student held by Iran, have urged Trump to intervene as strongly in their cases.
The Trump administration has secured the release of several high-profile American cases, including Pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey, aid worker Aya Hijazi from Egypt, and three U.S. citizens held by North Korea, Tony Kim, Kim Dong Chul, and Kim Hak Song.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
