The family of Paul Whelan, an American businessman and former Marine imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of spying, says they were told in advance that he would not be part of the prisoner swap that allowed the release of Brittney Griner.
after Russian authorities said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage, was the"right decision" rather than"waiting for one that wasn't going to happen."
A senior U.S. official said the U.S. government had sought to have both Griner and Whelan released as part of a swap with the Kremlin, which wanted the return ofwho has served 11 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. But the official said that Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is accused of spying and that the Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of Griner or no one after different options were proposed.
Whelan's Russian lawyer, Vladimir Zherebenkov, also said that the deal was an exchange of"one to one" and that choosing Griner, 32, appeared"more humane" because she is a woman and an Olympic champion, while Whelan was in the military and it is"easier for him to be in custody." David Whelan downplayed Zherebenkov's suggestion that his brother could be freed imminently, saying on MSNBC that he"would doubt that has any basis in fact" because his brother and the lawyer have not spoken since last year.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Family of imprisoned American Paul Whelan says it remains a 'catastrophe' he is held in RussiaThe family of Paul Whelan, an American businessman and former Marine imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of spying, says they were told in advance that he would not be part of the prisoner swap that allowed the release of Brittney Griner.
Weiterlesen »
American Paul Whelan left behind again in Russia-US prisoner swapPresident Joe Biden said the White House has 'not forgotten' about Paul Whelan, an American veteran who's been jailed in Russia since December 2018.
Weiterlesen »
Family of Paul Whelan, American imprisoned in Russia, prepared for ‘disappointment’ ahead of Brittney Griner’s releaseWhelan has been jailed in Russia since December 2018 on charges of espionage, which he and the U.S. government has denied.
Weiterlesen »
Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia tooPaul Whelan, the former U.S. Marine, has been held in Russia since 2018. As supporters celebrate Brittney Griner's release, they — Whelan himself included — are wondering why he was left behind.
Weiterlesen »
Paul Whelan reacts to Griner's release as he remains in RussiaIn a phone interview with CNN, Whelan said he doesn't understand why he's still in Russian custody. He noted that his case is being treated differently than others. abc15
Weiterlesen »
Family of American prisoner Paul Whelan backs Griner dealThe family of an Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia for nearly four years and counting, says the Biden administration “made the right decision” in agreeing to a prisoner exchange that freed WNBA star Brittney Griner. abc15
Weiterlesen »