Paul Whelan, the former Marine detained in Moscow on charges of espionage, told reporters he is okay as he spoke out for the first time, albeit very briefly, from inside a cage in Russian court.
The Lefortovsky District Court ordered Whelan held until at least May 28, allowing investigators to keep collecting evidence in his case.
Speaking from a cage in the courthouse in which he was being held, Whelan told reporters he was not receiving letters from his family. Asked by ABC News if he wanted to say anything, Whelan said he didn’t think the guards would allow him to as they pushed ABC News' camera away from him.
It is the first time reporters have heard Whelan speak since he was arrested in late December. At his first court appearance in January, Whelan appeared in a glass cage and did not respond to shouted questions.
At today’s hearing, he was more animated, speaking with reporters but largely declining to comment on anything. He told a BBC News reporter that he was feeling "fine" but declined to comment on the case against him.
The judge set Whelan's next hearing for the end of May.
American accused of spying in Russia speaks for first time since being jailed (ABC News)