Paul Whelan, the U.S. Marine veteran who has been imprisoned in Russia for several years on what critics have said are false charges, said he fears the United States has left him behind and called inaction by successive presidential administrations “a serious betrayal.”
In a phone interview from his prison cell, Whelan told the BBC he feels “abandoned” by his country, which he noted has engaged in other prisoner swaps with Russia in the last several years, including female basketball player Brittney Griner.
“It’s unfathomable to me that they’ve left me behind,” said Whelan, referencing both the current Biden administration and former Trump administration.
BBC reporter Sarah Rainsford admitted that she had never seen Whelan so “pessimistic” or “frustrated” as he appeared this week.
In late November, Whelan’s family reported that he was assaulted at a labor camp following a dispute.
A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital the agency was concerned over the incident.
“We are concerned about reports that Paul Whelan was assaulted by another prisoner in IK-17 on November 28,” the spokesperson said in an email. “The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has been in contact with Paul via phone and we understand he is receiving medical treatment following this incident.”
The White House has not yet returned Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
Nikolas Lanum is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
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