Now that Paul has started to receive consular support, and we know his health is being watched and that his rights are being looked after, our family has started crowdfunding to help Paul pay for his legal defense.  The GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/freepaulwhelan) will raise funds to support him while he remains in prison and to pay the lawyer representing him. 

We understand that there is a pre-trial bail hearing scheduled for tomorrow (January 22d) at Moscow City Court.  A U.S. Embassy representative will attend public portions of the hearing. 

The U.S. Embassy is attempting to reschedule its meeting with Paul from January 17th and we hope it will occur very soon.  It is important that Paul continue to have consular access, particularly because the Russian government has still not granted access for either the UK or Canadian governments to see Paul.