Paul Whelan — left behind again, for how long?
Paul Whelan, photo courtesy of the Whelan family.
by Marsha Chartrand
Last Thursday morning, it was announced by the White House that Brittney Griner, a WNBA star who had been held prisoner in Russia for several months, had been released and was currently on a plane on her way back to the United States, as the result of a prisoner exchange that had been negotiated between the US and Russian governments.
While this is definitely good news for Griner and her family, it was yet one more sad disappointment for the family of Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Russia for nearly four years at this point. In fact, December 8, the day of Griner’s release, was Day 1,441 since Paul was taken into custody for alleged “espionage“ activity while visiting Moscow for a friend’s wedding.
On Thursday, family spokesperson and Paul’s twin brother, David Whelan, wrote, “I am so glad that Brittney Griner is on her way home. As the family member of a Russian hostage, I can literally only imagine the joy she will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays … The Biden Administration made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, and to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn’t going to happen.“
Although the Whelans had been notified by US officials on Wednesday that Paul would be left behind, the disappointment and devastation was certainly no less for the family. As David wrote, reflecting on the release of Trevor Reed in April, now, as then, “… Paul is still a hostage. How many more times do I need to write that?“
“And now what? How do you continue to survive, day after day, when you know that your government has failed twice to free you from a foreign prison? I can’t imagine (Paul) retains any hope that a government will negotiate his freedom at this point. It’s clear that the US government has no concessions that the Russian government will take for Paul Whelan. And so Paul will remain a prisoner until that changes.
“(This) will be the fourth Christmas Mum and Dad live through without Paul. They will be 85 and 83 on the fourth anniversary of his detention [12/28/2022]. Time is Paul’s, and our, enemy. The likelihood that our parents will see their son again diminishes each day his wrongful detention continues. Increasingly, I worry that Paul himself won’t survive 12 more years in a Russian labor colony. He has tried to stay healthy but one wonders how long that determination to keep going can endure.“
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released a statement Thursday on the news of Griner’s release and of Paul’s status. Michigan’s new sixth district, to which Dingell was recently elected, includes Novi, where Paul lived before being detained, as well as Manchester.
“It’s always a success to bring an American home, and I am thankful to the Biden Administration and glad that Brittney will soon be reunited with her loved ones,“ Dingell said. “I want to assure Paul Whelan’s family he will not be forgotten, and I will continue to work alongside Congresswoman Haley Stevens, my other colleagues in Congress, and the administration to bring him home. Russia has imprisoned Paul unjustly and illegitimately for nearly four years, and today does not diminish our efforts to free him, but strengthens our resolve. I have been in touch with the White House, I am pleased the President reaffirmed his commitment to working for Paul’s release, and will remain in close contact with them until Paul comes home, too.”
And then there is the political fallout from this situation that has voices from all ends of the political spectrum making assumptions and surmises about a family member. All this political drama has to be taking a toll on the entire Whelan family here in the US. One frustrating claim is that things would have worked out better for Paul under President Trump. Paul’s parents asked us to remind our readers that Trump had the opportunity but did not follow up on a chance to swap Paul for Viktor Bout back in 2019.
Elizabeth Whelan, Paul’s sister, wrote on Facebook Sunday night, “I have been devastated by the very ugly comments that have surrounded Brittney’s return, both about Brittney and about Paul. Russia purposefully did this 1:1 deal to get everyone stirred up, and it worked. Let’s all remember that it’s Russia that set Paul up and imprisoned him, not either administration.“
The story is almost too heartbreaking to read … or to write. Especially for those of us in Manchester, many of whom know Paul personally, or at least know him through his parents, Rosemary and Ed Whelan. Local residents are taking this latest news to heart in a big way. And wondering what they might do to help. The Mirror asked David Whelan what could be shared that might give some encouragement to the family, and to Paul.
“I think the only thing I might add is that we are making a big push for mail,“ he said. “We know he’s going to be very worried about the future and, especially after how much time has passed, being forgotten. If you can include the mailing address and ask for cards and letters (but no packages of any size) to be sent, that would be super.“
David also requested donations to Paul’s GoFundMe account, if people can spare it. “I’m always reluctant to ask for money, because I know times are tight,“ he said. “But it would be helpful.“ Ever since the Russian mail service has been suspended and packages cannot be delivered via the State Department mail, the GoFundMe account has been a lifeline for the family and for Paul as it has been used to pay for expenses such as necessary dental work, paying legal bills, adding to his prison fund, and other needs over the past several months. A reserve is also in place to get him back home on American soil once he is released. Even small donations to this cause are appreciated.
Please send letters and cards only. You only need to use a regular US first-class stamp. Thank you so much; Paul will be glad to hear news from you!
Paul N. Whelan
c/o
American Citizen Services Unit
Consular Section
5430 Moscow Place
Department of State
Washington, DC 20521-5430
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