Whelan warns Blinken: Leaving me in Russia equals a death sentence.
Former US Marine Paul Whelan Pleads for Help
Paul Whelan, the former United States Marine who the State Department has determined is being wrongfully detained in Russia, told Secretary of State Antony Blinken that being left out of prisoner swaps has signed his death warrant.
Whelan, who has been imprisoned by Russia since 2018, said his age is playing a factor in his physical health because of the manual labor that prisoners in Mordovia are required to do.
Desperate Plea for Freedom
“I told [Blinken] point-blank that leaving me here the first time painted a target on my back and leaving me here the second time basically signed a death warrant,” Whelan told CNN in an article published Tuesday. “Unless they got me back, it could be quite challenging in the future, especially with my age and the sort of work we have to do from a health and safety point of view.”
Whelan was not included in a prisoner exchange of two high-profile Americans held by Russia, Brittney Griner and Trevor Reed, for two Russian nationals, Konstantin Yaroshenko and Viktor Bout. Russia did not allow Whelan to be traded in that exchange, according to U.S. officials.
Despite his fear that being left in Russia to serve out his 16-year sentence would prove fatal, Whelan said he believes the U.S. is doing everything it can to get him back home. However, Whelan said he also wanted to make sure that he was not forgotten among the other “geopolitical issues” happening in the world. Whelan last spoke to Blinken in August.
“I think everyone’s trying to do the right thing, and I know that this will come to an end at some point,” Whelan said. “How long it will take, I don’t know. But I’m being promised that I won’t be left behind here.”
The State Department said it will continue to stand behind Whelan after declaring he was wrongly convicted of espionage in 2020 and is searching for a way to free him.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner
“Secretary Blinken remains committed to bringing Paul home,” a State Department spokesperson told CNN on Monday. “The United States has been clear that Russia’s wrongful detention of Paul Whelan is outrageous, and he should be immediately set free. We offered Russia a serious proposal for Paul’s release and will not stop working on his case until he is reunited with his family.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the State Department for comment.
What actions should the US government and international community take in order to secure Paul Whelan’s release and ensure justice for him
Nk – I’m going to die here,” Whelan said in a recent interview with ABC News. “I am innocent, and I haven’t been able to get the help that I need.”
Whelan’s plea for help highlights the dire situation he finds himself in as he languishes in a Russian prison, unable to receive the assistance he deserves. The former Marine, who served his country dutifully and honorably, finds himself wrongfully accused and abandoned by the very nation he swore to protect.
In December 2018, Whelan was arrested by Russian authorities and charged with espionage. Despite maintaining his innocence from the very beginning, he has been subjected to a long and arduous legal process, with no end in sight. The State Department has categorically stated that there is no evidence to support the charges against him, leaving many to believe that he is being used as a political pawn in international relations.
Whelan’s desperation is evident as he begs for assistance from the highest levels of the US government. His age, coupled with the physical toll of manual labor in prison, has taken a significant toll on his health. Mordovia, where Whelan is incarcerated, is known for its harsh conditions, and prisoners are often subjected to grueling work. It is a stark contrast to the life he once knew as a Marine, where physical fitness was valued and maintained.
Whelan’s plea is not just a cry for his own freedom, but also for justice and fairness. He asserts his innocence, yet has been denied a fair trial and is being denied the basic human rights that every individual is entitled to. He further emphasizes that being left out of prisoner swaps is not only a blow to his hope for release but also a sure sign of a potential death sentence.
It is imperative that the international community, and especially the US government, does not turn a blind eye to Whelan’s case. His wrongful detention is a violation of his human rights and an affront to justice. The US government must use its diplomatic efforts to secure Whelan’s release and ensure that he receives the fair treatment and due process he deserves.
Furthermore, Whelan’s case raises important questions about the treatment and protection of former military personnel when they find themselves in such dire circumstances abroad. As someone who dedicated his life to serving his country, Whelan deserves the unwavering support and assistance of his government in his time of need.
Whelan’s plea must be heard and acted upon. His life is at stake, and his wrongful detention must not be allowed to continue. The US government, along with the international community, must hold Russia to account and demand justice for Paul Whelan.
As Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “We are going to stand up for our values and we’re going to stand up for our people.” It is time for action to be taken and for justice to prevail.
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