The sentence U.S. citizen Paul Whelan, convicted for espionage on 16 years in prison, yesterday entered into force and now in two weeks he should be sent to the colony of strict regime. However, the convicted person and his defense are sure that it will soon be exchanged for sitting in us prisons, Viktor bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko. In anticipation of this US citizen is in a double cell of the SIZO “Lefortovo”, hoping to make a film about the business.On the morning of 3 July, the verdict of Semi Whelan came into force. That the convicted person did not appeal, was not a surprise. A couple of weeks ago (the translated text of sentence was presented to Mr. Whelan June 22), his lawyers stated that their client does not intend to file a complaint, hoping for a speedy exchange. American, according to his lawyers, is now preparing to exchange for Viktor bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko, who are serving long sentences in the United States. “The negotiations are difficult, but are” assured “Kommersant” lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov representing interests of the former marine. According to the defender, were involved with both parties as employees of the foreign Ministry and intelligence services. “The main problem is that Russian officials insist on the exchange according to the formula “one for two”, the Americans say that it is necessary to change “one on one”,” explained mister Zherebenkov. The lawyer found it difficult to give a deadline for negotiations, but hopes that they will be completed quickly. However, noted lawyer, his client is already doing the outline of the book and the screenplay about his business.Paul Whelan really confident in quick completion of the negotiation process associated with the exchange, confirmed “Kommersant” member of the Public monitoring Commission of Moscow Marina Litvinovich, who had visited him on the day of sentencing. Your expectations bad speaking in Russian, Mr. Whelan expressed in the phrase “home Tomorrow”. In addition, during a meeting with an American human rights activist complained about a three-month absence of letters and parcels and showed a postoperative scar: in the Sklifosovsky Institute in may he removed the inguinal hernia, which greatly disturbed the accused more than a year. Operation the patient was satisfied, but noted that the fed in the hospital awful. Especially Paul Whelan stressed during the interview that after his release he intends to eat enough ice cream.Now on March 5, celebrated its 50th anniversary a former marine is in standard double cell “Lefortovo”. It is an elongated case with an area of about 15 sq m with high level window, screwed to the floor beds and a table. In the chamber there is a sink, a locker for personal belongings, a fridge and a TV. The whole camera can be viewed through the peephole set in the door. “About a year and a half ago, the camera held the hot water and setor metal bowls, which is enclosed by a low partition”,— told “Kommersant” a human rights activist Eugene Enikeev, visiting American in “Lefortovo”. Visit him in the infirmary and the staff of the embassies of USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, the citizen of which is Paul Whelan, and twice a month on the court, he can call the parents. One time with Mr. Whelan in the cell was the former head of the security service of “Togliattiazot” Oleg Antoshin, accused of having tossed the weapons and explosives at your own company because of the conflict with his leadership. However, at the end of 2019 Mr. Antoshin was transferred to Samara, and then sentenced to 3.5 years. Who is now the neighbor of American, do not know any human rights defenders, nor lawyers.However, despite the optimism of Mr Whelan and his protection, the Russian legislation does not provide for delays in the execution of the punishment. Within three days after the sentence comes into legal force the court shall send a copy of the FSIN. Thereafter, within ten days, the convict should be transported to the colony — no reservations associated with the exchange, this procedure does not provide.As previously repeatedly reported by “Kommersant”, Paul Whelan, was detained by field investigators of FSB in December 2018 in the room of the hotel “Metropol” after handing him the flash drive with secret data. Drive American, according to “Kommersant”, gave his old friend the major of FSB Ilya Yatsenko. A security officer he met in 2008, after which they maintained friendly relations, occasionally chatting messengers. However, knowing in 2018 that a friend transferred from the Crimea in Moscow Golitsyn border Institute (GPI) FSB, Paul Whelan began to persevere and earn offered, handing him a list with the complete data of students and adjuncts from among the current employees of intelligence agencies who were trained in GUIs. The security officer took it initially as a bad joke, but the American repeated the request, giving him and brother iPhone the latest model, gave 80 thousand rubles for a gift to his wife’s birthday, brought the book by Oleg Kalugin “a Resident. My 32 years in intelligence and espionage against the West” with a donative inscription of the author, promising $200 thousand after the transfer of the required information. Your interest to the cadets Mr. Whelan explained by the fact that long engaged in “backroom diplomacy, which is not covered in the media,” in the interests of the Intelligence Department of the U.S. Department of defense (DIA). And his work in the company Vogt Warner — a cover for this activity. After that, the teacher appealed to the relevant structures of the FSB, which began to prepare a special operation to detain Paul Whelan.Vladislav Trifonov
