White House confirms Paul Whelan is back at Russian penal colony and 'feeling ... trends now

White House confirms Paul Whelan is back at Russian penal colony and 'feeling ... trends now
White House confirms Paul Whelan is back at Russian penal colony and 'feeling ... trends now

White House confirms Paul Whelan is back at Russian penal colony and 'feeling ... trends now

The White House on Friday said Paul Whelan was back at a Russian penal colony and had told consular staff he was 'feeling well,' days after triggering concern by missing a scheduled phone call with his family.

He has been detained for almost four years in Russia as the U.S. campaigns for his return. 

Earlier Whelan's brother said they had been told the former U.S. Marine had been taken to prison hospital.

But John Kirby, a national security spokesman for the White House, said he could not comment further on the 52-year-old's health out of privacy concerns.

'I can confirm that US consulate personnel were able to communicate with Mr. Whelan and he indicated that he is now back at the penal colony to which he had been sentenced to do his time,' he said. 

'I won't get into speaking to any specifics of his of his health, for privacy reasons, but I can tell you that he conveyed to consular officers that he was feeling well.

'But that's really as far as I can go.'

Paul Whelan has been detained for almost four years in Russia. Last week he missed a phone call with his family triggering fears for his wellbeing. On Friday, the White House said he was back at the penal colony where he is serving his sentence and was 'feeling well'

Paul Whelan has been detained for almost four years in Russia. Last week he missed a phone call with his family triggering fears for his wellbeing. On Friday, the White House said he was back at the penal colony where he is serving his sentence and was 'feeling well'

John Kirby is National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications

President Joe Biden traveled to Boston on Friday

White House national security spokesman John Kirby (left) gave an update on Whelan's status on Friday but said he couldn't discuss his health. President Joe Biden's administration is pushing for the release of Whelan and basketball star Brittney Griner

In 2020, Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison for spying offenses that he denies. 

The U.S. is demanding his immediate release, along with Brittney Griner, a basketball player,

read more from dailymail.....

PREV Why North Korea censored Alan Titchmarsh's jeans - and why dictators fear them ... trends now
NEXT World Court orders Israel to ‘halt Gaza famine’ mogaznewsen