Paul Whelan demands release from Russian prison camp in phone interview.

Former US Marine Paul Whelan Urges Officials to Secure His Release from Russian Detention

Paul Whelan, a former United States Marine, has been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges that he and the US say are fabricated. In a rare phone interview with CNN, Whelan urged officials to secure his release and promote his case. He was excluded from two high-profile prisoner swaps with Russia last year, reportedly because Moscow actually believes in the charges against him. Unlike with other prisoners, Russia never accused Whelan of spying, charges he and the US deny.

Whelan Remains Positive Despite Poor Living Conditions and Forced Labor

Whelan remains positive and confident that the wheels are turning, but he wishes they would turn more quickly. He worries about being left out of another prisoner swap deal, but he feels more confident than he did following the release of another prisoner in December. Whelan called his daily life “depressing,” noting his “aches and pains of forced labor … and poor living conditions.” He believes his life is just as valuable as others who have been previously traded and hopes for a compromise and resolution to his case as quickly as possible.

Whelan’s Sister Acts as a Fierce Advocate for His Release

Whelan also has the support of his sister, Elizabeth Whelan, who has acted as a fierce advocate fighting for her brother’s release. She spoke in front of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the United Nations in late April, where she condemned Moscow’s treatment of her brother and demanded his release. She believes Russia’s actions are those of a terrorist state and worries about who will be their next victim.

What’s Next for Whelan?

Whelan has the support of the Biden administration and hopes for a compromise and resolution to his case as quickly as possible. He believes his life is just as valuable as others who have been previously traded and hopes to be released soon.

• Whelan remains positive and confident that the wheels are turning
• He worries about being left out of another prisoner swap deal
• Whelan called his daily life “depressing,” noting his “aches and pains of forced labor … and poor living conditions.”
• Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan, has acted as a fierce advocate fighting for her brother’s release
• Whelan has the support of the Biden administration and hopes for a compromise and resolution to his case as quickly as possible

Whelan’s case is ongoing, and he remains hopeful for a resolution soon.