Paul Whelan

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Paul Whelan's Family Finally Hears From Him in Russia

American prisoner is allowed to call parents from a hospital, but not much else is known

(Newser) - After a worrisome pause in communication, the family of imprisoned American Paul Whelan says he was allowed to call them Friday from Russia. Whelan called his parents early Friday, marking the first time the family had heard from him since Nov. 23, said his brother David, per the AP . Paul...

US Diplomats Meet With Brittney Griner

Administration says Russia still refuses US offer for 2 Americans being held

(Newser) - Officials from the US Embassy in Moscow were able to meet Thursday with Brittney Griner, the American WNBA star imprisoned in Russia, for the first time in months. The meeting was confirmed by the State Department, the Washington Post reports. "We are told she's doing as well as...

Biden to Meet With Families of Griner, Whelan

Both are jailed in Russia

(Newser) - President Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan , both of whom remain jailed in Russia, senior administration officials told the AP . The separate meetings are to be the first in-person encounter between...

This Is the Russian on Offer in Exchange for Britney Griner

Viktor Bout, former Soviet military translator, could pass on intelligence, says pundit

(Newser) - The imprisoned Russian arms dealer the Biden administration has reportedly offered to swap for Russian detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan is known here as the "Merchant of Death." Viktor Bout—who reportedly inspired Nicolas Cage's arms dealer character in 2005's Lord of War—is serving...

US Suggests Trade to Russia for Griner, Whelan

Blinken says he hopes to discuss the deal with Lavrov this week

(Newser) - The Biden administration has settled on a proposal for Russia, offering to trade an imprisoned Russian arms trafficker for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. President Biden has agreed to the exchange of detainees, which has been under discussion for months, despite the Justice Department's opposition to such deals, CNN...

Biden Calls Brittney Griner's Wife After Her Plea for Help

Reassures Cherelle Griner he's working toward her release

(Newser) - Update: President Biden on Wednesday called Brittney Griner's wife and assured her he's working to free the WNBA star, who remains jailed in Russia and recently wrote to Biden asking for help. VP Kamala Harris also spoke to Cherelle Griner, who has criticized the US handling of her...

Russia Sentences American to 16 Years in Prison

Former Marine Paul Whelan convicted of spying

(Newser) - A former US Marine just got handed a 16-year prison sentence in Russia for spying. Paul Whelan , 50, insists he's innocent and was set up in a bogus sting operation, reports the BBC . On Monday, he held a sign in court reading "sham trial!" Whelan was arrested...

Lawyer: Paul Whelan Thought He Was Getting Vacation Pics

But the American's lawyer says he thought he was getting vacation photos

(Newser) - In early January, Russian authorities claimed the American arrested in Moscow over an alleged "espionage operation" received a flash drive containing a list of employees of a secret Russian agency. Now Paul Whelan's attorney says he did indeed receive a drive that held "state secrets," but...

Russians Say 'US Spy' Was Caught Receiving a Flash Drive

Meanwhile, it emerges that Paul Whelan is also a British citizen

(Newser) - The American citizen arrested in Russia over an alleged "espionage operation" is a citizen of at least one other country. British authorities confirmed Thursday that Paul Whelan is a dual national and has requested assistance from British diplomats in Moscow. The 48-year-old former Marine was born in Canada, though...

Marines Release Details on American Held by Russians

US officials have been granted access to Paul Whelan

(Newser) - The Russian government said Wednesday it has allowed an American citizen held on espionage charges to have access to US officials seeking answers about his arrest. The AP reports US consular officials were granted access to Michigan resident and former Marine Paul Whelan for the first time since his arrest...

American Arrested in Russia 'Has a Superior Set of Skills'

But Paul Whelan's brother says he's definitely not a spy

(Newser) - The American who Russia claims is a spy was simply in the country to attend a wedding, according to his family. News of Paul Whelan's arrest in Moscow came on Monday. At the time, Russia's FSB said only that an American man had been detained Friday "during...

Russia Says It Arrested a 'US Spy' in Moscow

His name has been given as Paul Whelan

(Newser) - Russia's domestic security agency says it has arrested a US citizen on espionage charges. The Federal Security Service, or FSB, the top KGB successor agency, said that the American man was detained in Moscow on Friday. The agency in Monday's statement didn't elaborate beyond saying he was...

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