Paul Whelan, U.S. citizen jailed in Russia, reportedly assaulted by fellow inmate

Paul Whelan, the former U.S. Marine who has been imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges since 2018, was reportedly assaulted by another inmate.

According to Russian state media, a prisoner from Turkey hit Whelan in the face after the two got into an argument over “political disagreements.”

Prison guards reportedly “stopped the illegal actions immediately,” after which both men were sent to the prison’s medical unit. The brawl left Whelan with an abrasion under his eye, Interfax reported.

Paul Whelan’s relatives first reported the incident on Tuesday. “Paul is a target because he is an American, and anti-American sentiment is not uncommon among the other prisoners,” his brother told Voice of America.