WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVB) – Michigan native Paul Whelan along with Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich have been released by Russia as part of a prisoner swap.
Whelan, who lived in Novi, has been in Russian custody since 2018. He was visiting Russia for a friend’s wedding. Whelan’s lawyer claims his client was handed a flash drive that had classified information on it that he didn’t know about.
Whelan was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison for alleged espionage.
Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in prison by Russia for espionage, which he and the U.S. denied.
Michigan Republican Congressman Tim Walberg said in a statement released by his office on Thursday morning that he was overjoyed to hear the reports that Whelan and Gershkovich were coming home.
Walberg stated, “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.”
Statements were also released by Michigan Democratic U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow. Peter’s said, “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.”
Stabenow stated, “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.”
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