The family of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine being held in a Russian prison on espionage charges, is speaking out after finding out President Joe Biden recently spoke with the family of another Russian-detained American citizen, but not them.
President Biden on Wednesday spoke with Cherelle Griner, the wife of imprisoned basketball star Brittney Griner. The White House issued a press release saying Biden is working to secure the WNBA All-Star’s release as soon as possible. Griner has been held in Russia for over four months.
The press release also mentions Biden is working on the release of Whelan and other Americans detained in Russia.
Whelan was arrested in 2018 while he was in Russia, on allegations of being a spy for the U.S. Whelan has adamantly denied all allegations and Russian officials have never presented evidence against him publicly.
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On Wednesday Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan, spoke publically after learning the president had spoken directly with Griner’s wife.
In a tweet, she said she is “still looking for that press release saying @POTUS has spoken to anyone in OUR family about #PaulWhelan, wrongfully detained in #Russia for 3.5 years.”
Whelan said she is “crushed” and if Biden wants to talk about securing her brother’s release, “he needs to be talking to the Whelans! What are we to think?!”
Family members have claimed Griner is being treated differently due to her basketball stardom. Griner, who plays in Russia during the Phoenix Mercury’s offseason, was arrested in February for allegedly possessing cannabis while trying to leave the country after its invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
She was detained at a Russian airport and authorities said she had vape cartridges that contained hashish oil.
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