Pompeo Slams Russia’s Jailing of American in Secret Spy Trial

Secretary of State called Whelan’s treatment ‘appalling’
Whelan’s family said Russia may use him as bargaining chip

Paul Whelan, right, stands inside a defendants' cage as he waits to hear his verdict in Moscow on June 15.
Photographer: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images

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By Vladimir Kuznetsov and Jake Rudnitsky

June 15, 2020 at 8:39 AM UTC

Updated on

June 15, 2020 at 2:33 PM UTC

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A Moscow court found former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan guilty of spying and sentenced him to 16 years in prison Monday, drawing a sharp rebuke from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Whelan, 50, was arrested in December 2018 while attending a wedding in Moscow after receiving a flash drive with “state secrets” that he says he thought contained holiday pictures. He was convicted in a closed trial and sentenced Monday, according to a statement by his family.