Day 461 - Paul Whelan - Lefortovo Prison Moscow - April 2, 2020 - Denied PPE, Court Hearings Postponed

The U.S. Embassy staff were able to drop off some food last Wednesday [03/25/20] but delivery of personal protective equipment for Paul was denied.  The delivery of masks, gloves, and sanitary wipes were refused by the Lefortovo prison staff.  Since then, Moscow has been locked down and Paul will not have outside visitors for some time.
 
His lawyers will also be absent, since they are unable to access the prison.  While Paul was supposed to appear in court again this week, the next hearing has been postponed to April 13.  Unless the pandemic precautions in Moscow change, that date is likely to be rescheduled as well.
 
[Scheduled for March 30:  https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8055127 ]
[Rescheduled to April 13:  https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/8100109 ]
 
Like any family with a loved one in a prison during this crisis, we are concerned for Paul's health. The prison's inability to handle even the most rudimentary medical issues don't give us much confidence.  The prison has apparently taken precautions, including changing how Lefortovo is staffed, in order to minimize the risk.  But they could go one better by releasing Paul - and the couple of dozen other Americans held in Russia - and give him an opportunity to protect himself from the virus back home in the USA.
 
[Moscow prisons adopt "barracks" regime:  https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/701646 ]
 
We will continue to keep you updated as we have new information.  Unfortunately, Paul is still denied access to a telephone and, with no visitors, our ability to effectively communicate with Paul has reached zero.  Thanks for continuing to follow Paul's wrongful detention.