One of Whelan's lawyers, Vladimir Zherebenkov, relayed details of his closed trial, which began on March 23.Īccording to Zherebenkov, his client called Monday's proceedings "slimy, grubby, greasy Russian politics. An embassy spokeswoman quoted him as saying, "This secret trial in which no evidence was produced is an egregious violation of human rights and international legal norms." Sullivan has also criticized the lack of access to Whelan by embassy staff. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan condemned Monday's verdict. "He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world," the company said in a statement to NPR. Defense Intelligence Agency.Īfter his arrest, BorgWarner, an American automotive parts supplier, confirmed that Whelan works for the company, serving as its director of global security. The prosecution said Whelan held the rank of "at least colonel" with the U.S. Whelan pleaded not guilty and has denied the charges of espionage, maintaining that he was set up and that he was given a flash drive by an acquaintance that he thought contained family photos. Marine who holds passports from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, has become a thorn in the side of U.S.-Russia relations.ĭays after his arrest, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement that he had been detained while on a "spy mission." Later, officials said he was caught with a flash drive containing classified information. Secrecy has shrouded the case since the December 2018 arrest of Whelan in his Moscow hotel room. The verdict was read in a Moscow court on Monday as Whelan stood in the defendant's cage holding a sign that read "Sham trial!" citizen who was arrested in Moscow in 2018 on charges of espionage, has been found guilty in a closed trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison in a case that has strained relations between the two countries.
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