Michigan man Paul Whelan has been released from Russian prison after spending more than five years in custody.
Paul Whelan was freed as part of a massive prisoner swap that freed two dozen people, according to the White House.
---> Timeline: Michigan man Paul Whelan released from Russian prison after more than 5 years
The Novi man has been jailed in Russia since 2018 on accusations of being a spy. There was no trial and no evidence, but in 2020, Russian authorities sentenced him to 16 years in prison.
Russia has long been interested in getting back Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 of killing a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park two years earlier, apparently on the orders of Moscow’s security services.
Speculation had mounted for weeks that a swap was near because of a confluence of unusual developments, including a startingly quick trial and conviction for Gershkovich that Washington regarded as a sham. He was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison.
Here are statements from Michigan officials
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement:
“Today, a Michigan family can breathe a long sigh of relief after a years-long nightmare.
“Paul Whelan, a proud United States Marine and Michigander is finally coming back home along with Evan Gershkovich, a journalist, and several other Americans. When Paul was unjustly arrested in 2019, he was on his way to Michigan, and I am grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for successfully negotiating his peaceful release. It’s been five long years, and I know Paul’s family and every Michigander is excited to welcome him with open arms and lots of love.”
Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II released the following statement:
“The whole state of Michigan is thankful and relieved that Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and other Americans are coming home.
“Thanks to tireless diplomacy by the Biden-Harris administration, they have been freed from cruel and unwarranted detention in Russia. Today is a testament to our power to get things done and leave no American behind. My thoughts are with Paul and Evan’s families and friends who have waited so long to welcome them back.”
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell released the following statement:
“I’m incredibly thankful and relieved to learn that after years of wrongful imprisonment, both Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich are in American custody and on their way home. Their detainment has been an affront to due process, international law, and human rights, and we have never given up hope or stopped working for one moment to ensure their release. Paul is a Michigander who lived in Novi before his imprisonment, and his parents still live in my district. I have become friends with them and Paul’s siblings as I have worked with them and I have seen how difficult this has been, and know how tireless they have been in their efforts to bring him home. I’m thankful to the Biden Administration and everyone who has remained committed to securing their freedom, and hope they are reunited with their families as soon as possible. Now we must give those who have been released and their families the time and space they need to recover and heal from their experiences.”
Congressman Dan Kildee released the following statement:
“Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich are on their way home. I am grateful for President Biden and Vice President Harris for securing their release and their unwavering commitment to bringing home Americans imprisoned abroad.
“Russia wrongfully detained Paul and Evan as political prisoners after sham trials with no evidence of wrongdoing. Both Paul and Evan, as well as their families, suffered greatly through this terrible ordeal. But even on the darkest days, they never gave up hope—and neither did the American people. Now, we are grateful Paul and Evan are on their way home to be reunited with their loved ones.”
Congressman Tim Walberg released the following statement:
“I’m overjoyed to hear of reports that Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich are coming home. Paul’s parents, Ed and Rosemary, were constituents of mine and have spent nearly six agonizing years wondering if they’d ever get to see their son again. Paul’s siblings, Elizabeth and David, have done everything in their power to bring him home and never lost hope, even during the dimmest days. Paul and Evan are innocent Americans who have been wrongly detained simply to increase the Kremlin’s geopolitical bargaining power.
“While the release of Paul and Evan is long overdue and worthy of celebration, we must be careful not to establish a new norm by accepting when our adversaries conflate innocent civilians with real criminals. This puts every American at risk and turns them into a bargaining chip, opening the door for future wrongful detainments and forcing more Americans to live the nightmares Paul and Evan have lived.”
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter released the following statement:
“Five years of anguish for Paul Whelan, his family and friends thankfully ends today. His release by the Russian government is long overdue and I’m so grateful for the efforts of President Joe Biden, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and his loved ones who never stopped fighting to bring Paul home. Paul, your Novi and Oakland County family can’t wait to welcome you home.”
Senator Debbie Stabenow released the following statement:
“Wonderful news today! After more than five years, Paul Whelan is coming home. I know the past years have been excruciating for Paul and his family. I’m so glad they will be seeing Paul soon. Thank you to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for your incredible work to bring these Americans home.”
Senator Gary Peters released the following statement:
“Today is a joyous and long overdue day for Paul, his family, and all who have been working tirelessly to get him back home to Michigan. For the past several years, I have worked with Administration officials, my colleagues, and Paul’s family to press for his release, and I’m beyond relieved that today marks the end of this unimaginable nightmare for Paul and his loved ones. Michigan welcomes him home with open arms.”
“I’m also relieved that American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was wrongly imprisoned by Russian authorities for simply doing his job, will too be coming home to him family and friends.”