US Citizen Paul Whelan’s Whereabouts Unknown Amidst Rumors of Prisoner Swap

A lawyer for Paul Whelan, a US citizen imprisoned in Russia for over five years, is unable to confirm his immediate whereabouts as speculation of a potential prisoner exchange between the US and Russia mounts.

Whelan, a former Marine with multiple citizenships, was arrested in Moscow in 2018 on spying charges that he and the US government refute.

Rumors of a possible exchange have surfaced as several other prisoners were reportedly relocated in Russia recently.

Location of Russian Opposition Figure Kara-Murza Also a Mystery

Simultaneously, the whereabouts of Russian-British citizen and Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza remain unknown as his lawyers were denied access to him in a prison hospital for a second consecutive day.

Russian authorities have not disclosed the exact location of Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years for treason last year.

US Officials Working to Secure Whelan’s Release

US State Department has considered Whelan as wrongfully detained and has engaged in negotiations with Russia to secure his release. Previous prisoner swaps did not include Whelan, leaving his fate uncertain.

In 2023, the Biden administration made an offer to secure Whelan’s release, which Russia ultimately declined, without providing further details.