THREAD: My thoughts on Paul Whelan’s Captivity. Many know I was a SERE instructor but I also taught a course on what to do when detained as a bargaining chip by Hostile Governments like Russia. Having studied material in press I don’t believe is Whelan is an Intel asset.
This form of captivity is officially called Hostile Government Detention. No matter your status it’s designed to get a geopolitical bargaining chip, usually by false accusations of “spy” of American citz. Actual spies are handled differently and exchanged for opposition spies.
HG Detainees are held to get a concession. In this case the release of Russia’s subcontractor Spy Maria Butina. Whelan was a good choice. Disgraced military history (bad conduct discharge for theft) but somehow gained position of trust in US Corp security. Russophile, proTrump.
He may have even been tricked by FSB to believe he was working for some spy agency. The arrest by Ru FSB would shock him. Prison would break him. He’d be ready to talk to prove innocence. This is what we train our people to watch out for... he will be told confession is only out.
Confession in Russian law is critical to conviction. He will likely be tricked to sign any doc or say anything to get heat in his cell. He will be coerenced to “clear it all up.” Then he’ll be paraded on National TV with gear he never saw as a Spy. His checkered past a liability.
It’s likely he is innocent but Putin doesn’t care. Russia needs his real Intel asset Butina back before she talks. Whelan is a just pawn. One thing is for sure. Trump will comply. #Winning
