Paul Whelan: Russian court sentences former US marine to 16 years hard labour on disputed spy charges

MOSCOW — Former Marine Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years of hard labor in a Russian prison for espionage Monday, the conclusion to a case that has added tension to already strained relations between the United States and Russia.

Whelan, 50, said throughout the trial that he was framed. His lawyer, Vladimir Zherebenkov, said his client was unwittingly handed a flash drive containing "state secrets" while visiting Russia for a wedding in late 2018. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Whelan was caught "red-handed."

https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/paul-whelan-espionage-russia-united-states-marines-sentenced-20200615.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paul-whelan-us-marine-prison-sentence-spy-charges-russia-a9566086.html

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/06/12/michigan-man-sentenced-moscow-faces-18-years-labor-camp/3178060001/