The White House on Tuesday said it was reassuring to see video footage of Paul Whelan, a US citizen jailed in Russia over what Washington calls bogus espionage charges, and called on Moscow to release him immediately.
The former marine was featured in a video segment released by state-controlled news network Russia Today on Monday night.
Dressed in a black prison uniform and matching hat, Mr Whelan appears alongside other inmates in footage showing different parts of the prison. He can be seen using a sewing machine and visiting the cafeteria.
Arrested in 2018, Mr Whelan was convicted of spying charges in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony in the Mordovia region.
He strongly denies the charges against him.
“It was reassuring to see that he remains, and this is to use his brother's words, 'unbowed',” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.
“Paul continues to show tremendous courage.
“Russia should release him immediately.”
In December, US basketball star Brittney Griner was freed in a prisoner exchange with Russia. She had been traded for Russian citizen Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer who had been jailed in the US.
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
