Paul Whelan, a former US Marine, has spoken out from a Russian prison, expressing his disappointment that the Biden administration did not do more to secure his release after a prisoner swap to free WNBA star Brittney Griner.
Whelan did not take part in the prisoner exchange that took place on Thursday and saw Griner released from a Russian prison in return for Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death."
'I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up,' Whelan told CNN in a phone call from the remote Russian penal colony where he imprisoned on espionage charges.
Some have accused President Joe Biden of prioritizing celebrities over veterans, while Whelan remains imprisoned in a Russian penal colony on espionage accusations that his family and the US government claim are unfounded.
'I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,' Whelan said. 'I don't understand why I'm still sitting here. My bags are packed. I'm ready to go home. I just need an airplane to come and get me,' added Whelan. 'It's quite obvious that I'm being held hostage.'
