“I am glad to see Paul as we are concerned about his health and safety.
I assured Paul that we will continue to speak on his behalf until the Russian government allows an innocent American to return home, ”the US Embassy said on Twitter.
Ambassador Sullivan visits #Paul Whelan, US citizen #Paul Whelan, who was unjustly convicted by a Russian court in a closed court hearing.
Paul Whelan is innocent and must be released to return home to his family in the United States.
@ mfa_russiapic.twitter.com / OF4oa4Yjue
- US Embassy in Russia (@USEmbRu) September 22, 2020
Earlier, the director of the consular department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Ivan Volynkin, commented on the situation with the convicted Whelan.
On June 15, the court found Whelan guilty of espionage against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in a maximum security colony.