Highlights
- Paul Whelan was released after 2,043 days in Russian custody as part of a multi-nation prisoner exchange.
- His family expresses relief and gratitude, having doubted they would ever see him again.
- Whelan doesn’t have a wife or children as he was single before being arrested.
After nearly six years of tireless advocacy and hope, Paul Whelan’s family can finally celebrate his freedom.
The former U.S. Marine, wrongfully detained in Russia since December 2018, has been released as part of a historic prisoner swap involving multiple nations.
WATCH: President Biden removed his American flag lapel pin and attached it to former Marine Paul Whelan 🫡 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/ep3pWh3AKM
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) August 2, 2024
“I didn’t really allow myself to believe it was going to happen until I saw that announcement by the White House. We had been through two prisoner releases before where he did not come home.”
The Whelan family’s journey has been marked by uncertainty and disappointment.
Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Paul Whelan. Free. Amazing. #IStandWithEvan pic.twitter.com/mGtNjTwedB
— Paul Beckett (@paulwsj) August 1, 2024
David Whelan candidly admitted their pessimism regarding Paul’s chances for release:
“We didn’t have high hopes that this was ever going to happen. The difficulty in these situations is that the family has so little control. Paul was a pawn of the Russian government and became part of a geopolitical fight that really has nothing to do with Paul or our family or anything he did.”
A Family’s Support
Throughout Paul’s detention, his parents, Edward and Rosemary Whelan, brothers David and Andrew, and sister Elizabeth, have been his lifeline to the outside world.
They maintained regular contact and provided updates on the outpouring of support from around the globe.
Team #FreePaulWhelan gets ready to start the @JamesFoleyFund Freedom Run/Walk in Manchester, MI. Our mum and dad are in the back! Never too old to walk for freedom. Bring them home @POTUS @JoeBiden @StateDept @StateSPEHA #IRunForJim pic.twitter.com/vibzLHPM36
— David Whelan (@davidpwhelan) October 15, 2022
David Whelan explained:
“Paul has continued to call home on a daily basis and speak to our parents. We have been sending him updates about the support shown through GoFundMe donations as well as the many people indicating they’re writing him letters and cards. … In the months ahead, those will bring Paul great comfort.”
He continued,
“Paul lost his house and job while in custody. However, another sibling was able to take care of his finances over the last few years. Having that financial starting point is going to be a help for him.”
Paul Whelan tells reporters he’s feeling pretty good. A little tired. One of them commented on him being held for six years. “5 years 7 months 5 days,” he corrects. A former Marine, he said every day he was in custody he sang the US national anthem. pic.twitter.com/2yYlZQa7hh
— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) August 2, 2024
For the Whelan family, Paul’s release marks the end of an arduous chapter and the beginning of a new one filled with hope and healing:
“Once Paul was free, it was almost like … closing a chapter in a book, and I’m ready to move on.”
Just So You Know
- Paul Whelan holds citizenship in four countries: the United States, Canada, Britain, and Ireland, which has complicated his case and the efforts to secure his release.
- Whelan was arrested on December 28, 2018, in Moscow, where he claimed to be visiting for a friend’s wedding. He was subsequently convicted of espionage in a closed-door trial in June 2020.
- Prior to his detention in Russia, Whelan worked as the head of global security for BorgWarner, an American automotive parts supplier. He lost this job during his time in custody.
