NOVI, Mich. – It’s a grim milestone Paul Whelan hoped he’d never see.
Thursday, Dec. 28, marks five years in Russian custody for the Novi man and U.S. Marine.
Whelan is urging President Joe Biden to get his release done. He wants to come home.
On Dec. 18, 2018, Whelan was arrested in Moscow. He said he was there for a friend’s wedding but Russian authorities claim he was part of the intelligence community and paid for intelligence information.
There was no trial and no evidence presented. He was detained for two years before Russian authorities handed down a 16-year prison sentence in 2020.
Whelan has been held in a remote prison where he works in the laundry and clothing area. Speaking with CNN, Whelan urged Biden to do everything he can to secure his release.
Earlier in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about Whelan and the Russian president said he would like to make a deal with the United States.
Paul Whelan’s twin brother, David Whelan, said he believes the U.S. has made offers to the Russian government to get his brother home, but that Russia has rejected whatever the U.S. has offered.
