Whelan's brother says no reason to expect Paul Whelan's release from Russian penitentiary

MOSCOW. Dec 28 (Interfax) - David Whelan sees no reason to expect that his brother Paul Whelan, who is serving time in Russia for espionage, will be released soon and return home.

"There is no reason to expect that Paul's freedom will be forthcoming any time soon. The U.S. government and the Kremlin seem unable to find a resolution that would see him free and home with our family," David Whelan told reporters.

Paul Whelan has already served nearly a third of his sentence ordered by court, he said. David Whelan said he and his family continue to be hopeful that Moscow and Washington will be able to reach an agreement, and his brother will return home.

Paul Whelan, who is a citizen of the United States, Ireland and Canada and a British national, was sentenced by the Moscow City Court to 16 years in prison for espionage on June 15, 2020.

He pleads not guilty. He is currently serving time in Mordovia's high-security penal colony No. 17.