Russia jails ex-U.S. marine over espionage
Russia sentenced former U.S. marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in jail on Monday (June 15).
He was found guilty of spying for the United States.
Whelan has been in custody since he was detained by Russian authorities in a Moscow hotel room in December 2018.
Moscow said the 50-year-old was caught with a computer flash drive holding classified information.
Whelan pleaded not guilty and said he was set-up in a sting.
He claimed the drive was given to him by a Russian acquaintance and he thought it contained holiday photos.
Russian prosecutors accused Whelan of being at least a ranking U.S. military intelligence colonel.
U.S. diplomats called Whelan's trial unfair, and warned his sentencing would harm relations between the two countries.
The U.S. has repeatedly said there is no evidence against him and asked for his release.
