A former US Marine arrested on spying charges in Moscow says he is subjected to abuse and harassment in jail, but a diplomat warned Saturday a potential prisoner swap will not happen before a conviction.
Paul Whelan has been held under arrest in Russia since late December and is accused of being caught red-handed "carrying out an act of espionage".
A Moscow court on Friday extended his pre-trial arrest for another three months, with Whelan addressing the media from his cage in an emotive speech accusing Russian authorities of treating him like a "prisoner of war".
"I've been threatened, my personal safety has been threatened, there are abuses and harassment that I am constantly subjected to," Whelan said according to a BBC video.
He said he'd been deprived of showers, medical treatment, correspondence and books.
"Everything is being kept from me. This is typical prisoner of war, chapter one isolation technique," Whelan said. "They are trying to run me down so that I talk to them."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content