Posted 12/28/2023, 10:00:00 AM
Whelan Marks 5 Years in Russian Prison, Feels 'Abandoned' as U.S. Efforts for His Release Stall
- Paul Whelan marked 5 years in Russian prison on December 28, says it's "surreal" and he never expected to be there this long
- Whelan was arrested in Moscow in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years on espionage charges he vehemently denies
- The Biden administration has made "significant" proposals to Russia to free Whelan but they have been rejected so far
- Whelan feels abandoned after 2 other Americans were freed in prisoner swaps in 2022 but not him
- Secretary Blinken says the U.S. "will not rest" until Whelan is home, but after 5 years his family feels stuck at an impasse