Former Novi resident and Russian prisoner Paul Whelan says the U.S. government has let him down. After five years in custody, will Paul Whelan ever be free?

(WWJ) - One American in a Russian prison said he feels like the U.S. government has "left him behind."

December 28, 2023, will mark the 5th anniversary of Novi resident Paul Whelan's detention in Russia. The Russians say Whelan is a spy, which he vehemently denies.

Whelan is serving a 16 year sentence in a hard labor camp. He has seen several Americans being released, while he waits for the U.S. government to negotiate his freedom with Russia.

On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark hears from Whelan himself and looks ahead to what's next for the American confined to a Russian hard labor camp.