Accused US Spy Paul Whelan Remains in Russian Prison Without Bail

Paul Whelan, accused of espionage by Russia, will remain “under constant surveillance” in a small cell in a Moscow prison, The Daily Beast is reporting.

His lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told the website conditions have improved for the former U.S. Marine. He is now out of solitary and shares a cell with an unidentified Russian entrepreneur.

Whelan is also permitted to buy basic items in the prison shop and can even order food from Moscow restaurants through the prison’s administration. And he is now allowed to wear his personal clothes.

Whelan appeared in Moscow City Court on Tuesday and was told he would “remain without any charges,” meaning no bail would be allowed, according to The Daily Beast.

“We are going to appeal this decision in Supreme Court,” Zherebenkov said. “He remains in custody because the investigators are still collecting evidence... There are many weak places in the investigation."

Whelan was arrested in late December. His arrest sparked speculation he could be swapped for gun rights activist Maria Butina, who has pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent in the U.S.

Asked about a possible trade, Zherebenkov told The Daily Beast: “It is too early to talk about it now.”

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