Frustrated family that won’t give up on Michigan still in Russian prison – The Morning Sun
Paul Whelan in Russian prison. (Screenshot)
Elizabeth Whelan will return to Washington DC in July to again appeal to US authorities to release her brother from a Russian prison.
Paul Whelan, 54, spent 2,000 days behind bars on Wednesday. The former Michigan resident was arrested in December 2018 while traveling to Russia for a friend’s wedding. He was accused of espionage, which he, his family and U.S. authorities say is false. He was convicted by a Russian court in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
“I am targeting the week of July 8 and requesting to meet with officials and members of Congress during that time,” Elizabeth Whelan told The Oakland Press in an email. If she is unable to reach senior officials that week, she will try again the week of July 22.
Among other things, she wants to know what is stopping the United States from trying again to release Paul, who had been living in Novi in Oakland County. The Whelans’ elderly parents live in Michigan and the family fears he may not come home in time to see them again.
“I believe there was a plan to re-establish contact with the Russians, but when that will happen and with what, I have absolutely no idea,” she said. “As we approach the US election campaign, our family is very concerned that the work to free Paul will be postponed indefinitely.”
She said the Russians “seem to be wondering what the US is doing! (Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov) says the ball is in the US’s court. I’m not inclined to believe the Russians in general, but are they right on this point? If so, then what are we waiting for? I think we all need to know the answer.”
Whelan’s fate appears similar to that of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who faces trial on espionage charges following his arrest in March 2023. Gershkovich, his family and U.S. authorities maintain he is innocent.
Responding to questions from the Russian state news agency TASS about negotiations on a prisoner exchange with the United States, Ryabkov said this week: “The ball is in the United States’ court. We are waiting for their reaction to the ideas that have been presented to them.”
David Whelan, Paul’s twin brother, said U.S. authorities appeared to be “no further ahead than they were in those hopeful days in December 2022 when they immediately wanted to redouble their efforts.”
He described the situation as “False promises. False hopes,” adding that Paul “continues to stand still.”
A diplomatic visit by British officials in May helped ensure that the books, which had been sent to Paul in December and received by prison officials in January, were finally delivered.
“Reading continues to be a welcome distraction from the injustice he experiences every day,” David Whelan said, adding that the family remains grateful for the support of U.S. diplomats.
U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation Lynne Tracy recently called the Whelan family, David said.
Anyone wishing to send Paul Whelan a card or letter (no packages) may do so at this address: American Citizen Services/PNW, Consular Section, 5430 Moscow Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5430.
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