We’re all aware of Biden’s deal to secure basketball player Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison.
However, what may be lesser known is how the release of U.S. Marine veteran, Paul Whelan, was not included in said deal.
Now, Whelan has offered a statement expressing how he was “greatly disappointed” with the decision.
Back in 2018, Whelan was arrested after being accused of espionage; fast forward two years and he was sentenced to be imprisoned in Russia.
Whelan is now serving 16 years in a penal colony for a crime he claims never happened.
The veteran stated:
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”
Sadly, Whelan had begun to have hope that he too would be included in the prisoner exchange that involved Griner for the notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout or more widely known as the “Merchant of Death.”
Whelan’s family has since released a statement expressing hope that there will come a day that it would happen to him, adding:
“That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul. I do not know if he is aware yet, although he will surely learn from Russian media … I can’t even fathom how Paul will feel when he learns. Paul has worked so hard to survive nearly 4 years of this injustice. His hopes had soared with the knowledge that the US government was taking concrete steps for once towards his release. He’d been worrying about where he’d live when he got back to the U.S.”
“[Whelan] has been there nearly 4 years on espionage charges … He was very disappointed that he was left behind, though he was very happy that Brittney Griner got out.”
— CNN’s @jmhansler on Paul Whelan, who is still detained in Russia, reacting to Brittney Griner’s release pic.twitter.com/DkfzcPJL5z
— The Recount (@therecount) December 8, 2022
