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US ‘outraged’ as Russia jails American spy
The US has said it is “outraged” after Russia jailed a former US marine to 16 years of hard labour on spying charges.
Paul Whelan was arrested in a hotel room in Moscow 18 months ago with a USB flash drive which security officers say contained state secrets.
Whelan says he was set up and called the trial – which he said he could not understand as no translators were provided – a “sham”.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for his immediate release.
“The United States is outraged by the decision of a Russian court today to convict US citizen Paul Whelan after a secret trial, with secret evidence, and without appropriate allowances for defence witnesses,” he said.
Whelan was found guilty of receiving classified information at Moscow City Court. His lawyers said he would appeal.
Amid suggestions that Whelan could be used in a prisoner swap for high-profile Russians in US custody, a Kremlin spokesman said Whelan was not a “political prisoner”.
“No, it is not possible. He was sentenced by a court decision, and the court decision says it all. He was charged and the charges were then proven in court and accepted by the court,” Dmitry Peskov said.
Paul Whelan had hand-written a sign for this final court hearing, pressing it to the glass of his cage in court to denounce his trial as a sham. TV cameras were banned from filming on Monday, supposedly as a coronavirus precaution.
So Whelan raised his voice to shout his innocence to the photographers instead. With two FSB [Russia’s Federal Security Service] guards at his side in black balaclavas, he denounced the charges against him as fabricated and “ridiculous”.
“They have got this so wrong, and all for political purposes,” he told the BBC. At past hearings, he has been openly angry and frustrated – talking over the judge and accusing his interrogators of threats and coercion.
On Monday, he was calm, even smiling – waving to the three ambassadors who came to court to support him, all in facemasks and gloves and carefully spaced out on the wooden benches like the press. -BBC
News
NPP is so hurt by my nomination – Sam George
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, and Member of Parliament(MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, says opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) are hurt by his nomination.
The minister who was approved by the majority in Parliament yesterday in a Facebook post stated that “It is clear to me that the NPP is so hurt by my nomination as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations and would stop at nothing to fight it.”
His post was in response to photos circulated on social media suggesting he was watching what appears to be nude content on his phone.
Mr. Sam George accused the NPP MPs of circulating fake photos with a false narration to tarnish his reputation, saying: “They have resorted to a smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos.”
“After failing to mobilise their own Caucus in Parliament to vote against my nomination, they have resorted to smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos,” he posted.
He concluded, “I can assure them that the days of misinformation and cheap fabricated lies are coming to an end. The Ministry would tighten regulations on such illegal conducts of misinformation and disinformation in the coming weeks and sanitise our media space.So help me God.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
