Freed American Describes Being Tortured

Silhouetted hands breaking chains against sunset sky.

(RightIsRight.co) – Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan recently revealed in an interview the harrowing experience in a Russian labor camp to which he was exposed.

Whelan’s account of torture and unlawful detention sheds light on Russia’s despicable attempts to manipulate the U.S. government.

At the same time, this revelation demands immediate action to protect American citizens abroad and hold Russia accountable for its brutal human rights violations.

Whelan, wrongfully detained by Russian authorities since 2018, recently shared his nightmarish experiences on CBS News’ “Face The Nation” with Margaret Brennan.

Whelan was arrested in Moscow while attending a friend’s wedding, which was nothing short of a set-up.

He was convicted of espionage in a secret trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison despite maintaining his innocence.

The former Marine’s account of his time in Russian custody is deeply troubling. Whelan described being subjected to sleep deprivation a tactic considered torture under international law.

At the notorious FSB-run Lefortovo Prison in Moscow, guards kept the lights on 24 hours a day, making rest nearly impossible.

“The Russian government wanted to put pressure on the United States by treating me badly. Sleep deprivation is considered torture,” he said.

The situation worsened when Whelan was transferred to a labor camp where guards woke him every two hours, shining lights in his face and taking pictures.

Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of Whelan’s case raises serious questions.

While other Americans like Brittney Griner were released in earlier prisoner swaps, Whelan was left behind, feeling abandoned by his own country.

“From Day One, I was being told that there would be a trade, a political solution to this situation. But as it dragged on, it did play with my mind,” he continued.

In addition, Whelan’s release in August 2023 was part of a complex prisoner swap involving multiple countries, which came far too late.

The fact that it took a deal involving the release of 16 Russian prisoners and eight Russians held by Western countries to secure the freedom of Whelan and other Americans is a testament to the challenging geopolitical landscape America faces.

Now free, Whelan copes with the daunting task of rebuilding his life while grappling with PTSD and ongoing sleep difficulties.

Whelan’s story is a reminder of the ongoing threats posed by adversarial nations like Russia and underscores the need for a stronger, more assertive foreign policy that prioritizes the safety and freedom of American citizens abroad.

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