NEW YORK: American detained in Russia Paul Whelan On Thursday, he expressed disappointment that nothing more had been done for his release and urged President Joe Biden to act quickly.
Whelan, a former US Marine, is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges which he denies. Biden said the United States would never give up seeking Whelan’s freedom, but the prisoner swap involving Griner left few options. “Unfortunately and for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s…” Biden said. Whelan was detained in 2018 and convicted two years later.
“I am very disappointed that nothing else has been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest approaches,” he said. CNN. His brother, David Whelan, said it didn’t bode well for his brother. The Biden administration gave the Whelan family advance notice that he would not be released, David said. “This early warning means our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a disaster for Paul.
Whelan, a former US Marine, is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges which he denies. Biden said the United States would never give up seeking Whelan’s freedom, but the prisoner swap involving Griner left few options. “Unfortunately and for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s…” Biden said. Whelan was detained in 2018 and convicted two years later.
“I am very disappointed that nothing else has been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest approaches,” he said. CNN. His brother, David Whelan, said it didn’t bode well for his brother. The Biden administration gave the Whelan family advance notice that he would not be released, David said. “This early warning means our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a disaster for Paul.
