Paul Whelan, a U.S. Marine veteran who has been imprisoned in Russia for several years on charges of espionage, was attacked this week by another inmate, his family reported.
David Whelan, Paul’s brother, said the veteran was assaulted at a labor camp Tuesday afternoon.
“After repeated requests, the prisoner hit Paul in the face, breaking Paul’s glasses in the process, and attempted to hit him a second time,” David Whelan said in an email statement. “Paul stood up to block the second hit and other prisoners intervened to prevent the prisoner continuing to attack Paul.”
The brother noted Paul has asked the prison warden if he can speak with local prosecutors for a possible investigation of the alleged attack.
“He is also concerned that these sorts of attacks can occur any time and, due to the various sharp implements in the workshop including the shears the other prisoner was holding today, could escalate into a far more serious attack,” David Whelan said.
“Paul is a target because he is an American and anti-American sentiment is not uncommon among the other prisoners.”
A spokesperson for the State Department told Fox News that the agency was concerned over the incident.
“We are concerned about reports that Paul Whelan was assaulted by another prisoner in IK-17 on November 28,” the spokesperson said in an email. “The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has been in contact with Paul via phone and we understand he is receiving medical treatment following this incident.”
