Russia: 'He respects our country' - Paul Whelan’s lawyer

Vladimir Zherebenkov, Paul Whelan's lawyer: "I can say, it is 50:50. The situation is becoming more positive. I can't say for sure, but it might happen. He is charged with a grave crime, and usually this category of cases means from 10 to 20 years of imprisonment. The courts set people free in very rare cases. But lately, in the [most] recent two years, the courts have started to take a more humane position. People are more often released on bail or placed under house arrest. There is some easing of the situation. I may say, Paul is treated in a rather correct way."
SOT, Vladimir Zherebenkov, Paul Whelan's lawyer (Russian): "He said that for his age he feels quite well. He is 48. And taking in consideration that age, everything is ok. The only problem he has is that he jumped with a parachute, the landing was not successful, his knee was injured, he showed it to me, as well as his [injured] shoulder. He takes painkillers because of the pain in his knee. He doesn't have any problems with it now."
Reporter: "Is he given these pills?"
SOT, Vladimir Zherebenkov, Paul Whelan's lawyer (Russian): "Yes, he has the pills. He said he takes it when his shoulder hurts. When he was put there [in prison], there was a quarantine, he was alone, he had some problems with communication, as the detention centre employees can't speak English. He asked for an English speaking man [to be put in the ward together with him]. The investigator met his needs and addressed the administration. And after the quarantine, when the holidays were over, a quite famous businessman in our country, who speaks English, was put into his [Paul Whelan's] ward. So he has no communication problems anymore."
Lawyer for detained US Marine Corps veteran Paul Whelan, Vladimir Zherebenkov, discussed his client's case during an interview in Moscow on Friday.
According to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Whelan was detained in Moscow on December 28 last year after being caught red-handed while carrying out spying activities.
"He is charged with a grave crime, and usually this category of cases means from 10 to 20 years of imprisonment," said Zherebenkov.
"The courts set people free in very rare cases. But lately, in the [most] recent two years, the courts have started to take a more humane position," he added.
"People are more often released on bail or placed under house arrest. There is some easing of the situation. I may say, Paul is treated in a rather correct way," Zherebenkov said.
Discussing Whelan's welfare, Zherebenkov stated that "he is stress-resistant person. As he has a serious training behind [him]. You know, he is a soldier."
Whelan's lawyer also disclosed details about the veteran's personal life. "He had repeatedly visited Russia after leaving the army in 2006. He went to Perm and St. Petersburg. He visited Sergiyev Posad in spring 2018."
"He is studying Russian and he is interested in [Russian] culture and history. He respects our country," Zherebenkov added.