Paul Whelan Thanks Lawmakers for His Return Home During Capitol Visit

In a heartfelt gathering at the U.S. Capitol during twilight, recently freed American Paul Whelan expressed his gratitude towards the lawmakers who played a vital role in securing his release. Whelan, who just completed a resettlement program in Texas after being wrongfully detained in Russia, acknowledged the significant bipartisan efforts that helped bring him back home.

Referring to the support he received, Whelan remarked, “The Michigan delegation brought me home here.” He reflected on his challenging experience, stating, “It was five years, seven months and five days. I counted each one of them.”

Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, revealed that his last days in the Russian prison were spent in solitary confinement. “I couldn’t leave my cell,” he shared, emphasizing the emotional toll of his situation. “But I made it home.”

Although Whelan did not divulge any specific plans for his future, he mentioned the need for a new car, highlighting the advancements in technology around him, including electric and driverless vehicles. He indicated that he is engaged in discussions regarding the plight of other wrongfully detained Americans worldwide.

“We’re coming for you,” Whelan declared, addressing fellow detainees. He reassured them that the U.S. government is committed to not allowing individuals like himself, Marc Fogel, Trevor Reed, and Brittney Griner—who was released in December 2022—to suffer in foreign prisons. “It might take time, but we’re coming for them and everybody else,” he said earnestly.

Whelan expressed appreciation to the members of the media whom he recognized, recalling conversations held through a smuggled phone. He thanked them for their relentless coverage of his case, which played a crucial role in raising awareness. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the countless staff members and agency workers whose efforts went unnoticed but contributed significantly to his release.

Rep. Haley Stevens, representing Whelan’s district, mentioned her intention to rely on him for guidance in tackling the complex issues surrounding foreign detentions. She expressed her desire to maintain a long-term connection with Whelan, emphasizing, “there’s a lot to learn from his experience.”

Stevens pointed out that Whelan’s case is significant as it set the stage for a number of high-profile detentions in Russia, including those of Griner and Evan Gershkovich. “This certainly changed the relationship that the United States had with Russia, even before the war in Ukraine began,” she commented.

She delivered a strong message to Russia, asserting that the U.S. stands united against its unlawful behaviors, stating, “We will fight for our people. We will bring them home, and we will win.”

Whelan’s return to the United States followed more than five and a half years in a harsh Russian penal colony. His release came as part of a multi-country initiative that also secured the freedom of American journalists Gershkovic and Alsu Kurmasheva. This exchange marked one of the largest prisoner swaps between the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War, involving a total of 26 individuals.

Whelan was initially arrested in Moscow in 2019 on charges related to espionage and subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison. The U.S. Department of State deemed him wrongfully detained, highlighting the complexities of his case.

On the same day Whelan returned, Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British national who had also been imprisoned in Russia for opposing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, met with lawmakers, reinforcing the ongoing discussions surrounding wrongful detentions and international relations.