Wrongfully Detained US Citizen Paul Whelan Attacked by Fellow Inmate in Russian Prison

Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine accused of spying and arrested in Russia, stands inside a defendants' cage during a hearing at a court in Moscow, on Aug. 23, 2019. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images

Paul Whelan, a retired U.S. Marine currently imprisoned in Russia, was assaulted by a fellow inmate on Nov. 28, according to his brother.

David Whelan said his 53-year-old twin brother had been able to contact their family after the incident and recount the attack he'd endured, he said in a press statement shared with The Detroit News. David Whelan said his brother recounted sitting at a sewing table in a prison workshop when a recently arrived prisoner began to obstruct his work.