American Detainee in Russia, Paul Whelan, Reports Assault and Threats in Prison Amid US-Russia Tensions
• Paul Whelan, a US citizen detained in Russia, says he was assaulted by another inmate and is now being targeted by a prison official in retaliation • Whelan claims the official encouraged prisoners to demand money from him and ordered him to move barracks, exposing him to danger • Whelan has spoken to human rights representatives and insists on speaking with a prosecutor about his safety concerns • Whelan feels threatened as an American given Russia's tensions with the US over its support for Israel • The State Department has renewed calls for Russia to release Whelan and other wrongfully detained US citizens