BREAKING: Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan was still stuck behind bars in Russia even as WNBA star Brittney Griner’s release sparked celebrations early Thursday.
A lawyer for Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in June 2020 for what he described as bogus espionage charges, was quoted as telling Russia’sWhelan’s name was initially floated as part of a potential prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, but with Bout’s release in exchange for Griner this week, it’s not clear if that leverage was lost.
“This is the event we wish for so much for our own family. She will be reunited with her family. Brittney is free. And Paul is still a hostage,” Paul Whelan’s brother David said in a statement after Griner’s release,“Our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul,” David Whelan said.
“Paul should have been the first to get swapped. He is older, he has had concussions after the war, he has had a surgery and frankly, he has been suffering morally much more than Trevor,” Zherebenkov said at the time. President Joe Biden responded to growing questions Thursday over why Whelan appeared to be left out yet again. He said it was “not a choice of which American to bring home” but that Russia is taking a harder line on Whelan for “totally illegitimate reasons.”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Griner swap leaving Paul Whelan behind is a ‘catastrophe’ for him, brother saysThe Biden administration’s decision to trade a convicted Russian arms dealer serving a long prison sentence for WNBA superstar Brittney Griner is a “catastrophe” for fellow wrongfully detained American Paul Whelan, according to his brother.
Read more »
Who Is Paul Whelan and Why Wasn't He Part of the Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap?WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed from Russian custody as part of a prisoner swap, but many, including Griner’s family, were quick to point out another American name was not listed as part of the deal.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Missiles rain on Ukraine after purported drone strikes in RussiaLATEST: Russia has run out of Iranian-made drones, according to Western officials.
Read more »
WNBA star Brittney Griner freed in in swap for Russian arms dealerRussia freed Griner in a dramatic prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout but failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan.
Read more »
Brittney Griner Has Been Released From Prison In Russia After A Prisoner Swap'She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home,' said President Biden.
Read more »