Brittney Griner has finally returned home after almost ten months of traumatic experience in Russia. The US government secured her release in exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor bout on December 8. However, retired US marine Paul Whelan, who was a part of the original prisoner swap deal, remains stuck in Russia. In fact, Griner’s release has offered no respite for Whelan, who continues to suffer inside a Russian penal colony for nearly four years now.

The former US marine’s brother David Whelan laid down the future steps Paul and his family will have to follow after his release was denied by Russia recently. Paul Whelan was arrested in Russia in 2018 under charges of espionage. Subsequently, a Russian judiciary sentenced him to 16 years in a penal colony under espionage charges. Whelan is currently imprisoned in the IK-17 penal colony in Mordovia. Sadly, he still remains incarcerated while Brittney Griner recently returned home.

The release of Brittney Griner makes Paul Whelan’s journey tougher

In a recent interview with MSNBC, David Whelan shared that his brother Paul spoke to their parents and expressed his disappointment in the State Department’s failure to secure his release. Moreover, David Whelan reckoned that his brother might not have fully processed the reality. He suggested that his ex-marine brother needed to continue to survive one day at a time and stay hopeful.

Furthermore, David Whelan added, “He may have to survive for 12 more years in this labor colony. Hopefully, the US administration will be able to bring him home.”

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Whelan shared that his brother would probably have to serve out his 16-year sentence and continue to survive in the IK-17 facility for 12 more years. Moreover, he hoped that the US government would succeed in securing the ex-marine’s release as soon as possible.

However, that possibility seems to dwindle even further following the release of Brittney Griner. The public enthusiasm on Whelan’s case is also likely to wane after the much anticipated release of the Phoenix Mercury star.

The Whelan family continues to work for Paul’s freedom

David Whelan pointed out the key steps that needed to be taken after the disappointment for Paul Whelan. David, along with his sister, continue to speak up about their brother’s detainment in the media. Moreover, he revealed that the Whelan family continues to talk to the government and raise funds to support Paul Whelan in the penal colony.

Paul Whelan’s brother felt that it was crucial to move ahead from the recent disappointment and continue to make efforts to help the former US-marine go through each day. The prison swap deal involving Griner and Whelan was important for the Whelan family. However, as per some US officials, Russia offered a condition between either releasing Brittney Griner alone or none of them.

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Hence, the WNBA star’s release has offered no relief for Paul Whelan, who continues to deal with the terrors of a penal colony.