A former U.S. Marine jailed in Russia on what he claims are trumped-up spy charges has demanded to know why his release was not secured in the prisoner swap that freed Trevor Reed.
‘Why was I left behind? While I am pleased Trevor is home with his family, I have been held on a fictitious charge of espionage for 40 months,’ Paul Whelan said Wednesday in a statement obtained by CNN. ‘The world knows this charge was fabricated. Why hasn’t more been done to secure my release?’
Whelan, 52, was arrested on espionage charges in December 2018 after being detained at a Moscow hotel. Despite vehemently denying the allegations, the ex-Marine was convicted June 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison in a trial that U.S. officials have denounced as ‘unfair’.
The prisoner’s plea came after Reed, also an ex-Marine, was freed by the Kremlin on an airport tarmac in Ankara, Turkey, in exchange for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko.
Reed was convicted in Russia in 2019 of endangering the lives of two police officers while drunk on a visit to Moscow. The U.S. called his trial a ‘theater of the absurd.’
Yaroshenko was arrested by American special forces in Liberia in 2010 and convicted of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. Russia had proposed a swap for the pilot in July 2019 in exchange for any American prisoner.
The U.S. government claims they are working to free other Americans currently detained in Russia, including Whelan and WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was arrested in February after a vape pen filled with hash oil was found in her luggage at the Moscow airport.
Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine jailed in Russia on fictitious spy charges, has demanded to know why his release was not secured in the prisoner swap that freed Trevor Reed
Former US Marine Trevor Reed was exchanged for convicted Russian drug dealer Konstantin Yaroshenko during a prisoner swap that took place at a Turkish airport on Wednesday
Whelan learned of the swap, and his continued detainment, on Wednesday by hearing it on a Russian TV network, according to his sister, Elizabeth Whelan.
‘He was very upset,’ Elizabeth told CNN.
She claims their family was notified early Wednesday morning that ‘Trevor was coming back and Paul was not.’
‘I had barely time to alert my parents and brothers when it was all over the news,’ Elizabeth said, noting she ‘was unhappy that we were given so little time to absorb this bad news.’
She also shared how their family, specifically her parents, was ‘devastated, completely crushed’ by the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs’ decision to leave Whelan behind.
Whelan (pictured in October 2019) was arrested on espionage charges in December 2018 after being detained at a Moscow hotel
‘When I had a virtual call with the SPEHA group later that day I let them know in no uncertain terms what I thought of the administration’s terrible decision to leave Paul behind,’ Elizabeth told the television network.
‘I expect to continue communication with State and the NSC on an extremely regular basis until Paul is returned also.’
The detainee’s brother, David Whelan, also weighed, arguing that President Joe Biden’s administration ‘has engaged in far greater outreach with our family, and with the families of other hostages, than the Trump administration did’ and said he is ‘confident President Biden cares and his team is making an effort.’
‘Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for Paul,’ David said. ‘Perhaps someday it will be.’
‘I am glad that President Biden reiterated this morning his vow to bring Paul home. Because otherwise it feels as though his pledge ‘not to walk away’ from Paul, given last summer in Geneva, feels hollow today.’
Dramatic video depicted the scene on Wednesday where U.S. and Russian officials met on a runway in Turkey to conduct the swap between former Marine Trevor Reed, 30, and Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko (second on the staircase)
Yaroshenko (center), is seen being briefed by the agents just as the exchange gets underway
Reed had languished in a Russian prison since 2019 after he was accused of drunkenly grabbing an officer’s arm as he was being arrested. His family had been petitioning government officials for years to bring him home
In exchange for his release, the United States released Konstantin Yaroshenko (above), a smuggler serving 20-years in prison
The State Department, in a statement to CNN, confirmed ‘the case of Paul Whelan is one we continue to work day in, day out.’
‘Paul Whelan is wrongfully detained in Russia,’ spokesperson Ned Price said. ‘Roger Carstens and his team continue to do everything we can to seek his release from Russian custody.’
The White House also claimed officials are working to secure Whelan’s release but declined to provide any details into the negotiations.
‘Obviously, our objective continues to bring Paul Whelan home, and any American who is not with their family and is being detained overseas,’ Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday. ‘But I’m just not going to get into more details because I want to maintain the protection of our process.’
She also resisted the suggestion that Yaroshenko’s release ‘narrows the chances’ of Whelan’s release.
‘We will continue to advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of Paul at every opportunity, and using wrongful detention as a bargaining chip represents a threat to the safety of everyone traveling, working and living abroad,’ she said.
As Reed (third from the left) stepped off the plane, U.S. officials disembarked on the other side of the runway with Yaroshenko
Yaroshenko (second from the left) waited as American and Russian officials shook hands on the trade. Another agent could be seen immediately escorting Reed to the American plane
Yaroshenko walked back to the Russian plane as Reed boarded the American plane to finally return home
Reed, 30, of North Texas, arrived back in the U.S. on Thursday after being freed in the swap, with officials saying his ‘spirit is strong.’
The swap, which some have likened to a famed Cold War prisoner exchange on the so-called Bridge of Spies, was caught on camera.
The footage shows Yaroshenko disembark an American private jet, accompanied by security personnel, and walk towards Russian officials waiting nearby with Reed.
Reed is seen stepping out of the plane with Russian officials as they make their way to the center of the runway, where American officials are waiting.
The Marine was seen walking with an agent and carrying two bags while Yaroshenko carried a single bag and what appeared to be a manila envelope.
As the Russian and American agents meet, the agent with the bags is seen escorting Reed directly to the American plane as Yaroshenko waits while the officials talk.
The Americans and Russians are then seen shaking hands before the U.S. agents escort Reed to their plane.
Footage posted online showed the moment Russian forces escorted Reed out of a dark-colored van Wednesday morning
Reed was bundled up in a large black coat and carried his large black duffel bag, but looked thin after his family said he underwent a hunger strike
Reed was finally able to board a private plane back to the United States on Wednesday
U.S. Representative August Pfluger of Texas said Reed arrived at a San Antonio airport in the predawn hours.
Pfluger posted pictures of the arrival on Twitter, with one showing the congressman making a thumbs-up gesture standing next to Reed.
Other photos showed Reed standing with his parents and loved ones at the airport.
‘The joy on their face, to see their son – obviously very worried about his health,’ said congressional hearing with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday. ‘And it’s going to take some time to heal, to get back to good health. But his spirit is strong. He’s a fighter. He’s a survivor.’
‘The reunification with his family was just tremendous,’ Pfluger added.
Reed’s parents, Joey and Paula, now say their ‘prayers have been answered,’ telling CNN New Day host Brianna Keilar: ‘Obviously, we’re ecstatic.’
U.S. Representative August Pfluger of Texas said Reed arrived at a San Antonio airport Thursday in the predawn hours. Reed (center) is pictured speaking with his father Joey Reed (right) and Pfluger
Reed (left) poses with US Representative August Pfluger (right) in San Antonio Thursday
Reed stands with Pfluger, his parents and loved ones at the airport
Pfluger said Reed’s ‘spirit is strong’ and the ‘reunification with his family was just tremendous’
The swap was not part of broader diplomatic talks and did not represent an American change in approach on Ukraine, according to U.S. officials.
Russian-American relations have been at their worst since the Cold War era following Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Russian news agencies reported that Yaroshenko landed back in Moscow on Wednesday and was reunited with his wife and daughter.
Yaroshenko said on Thursday he had been tortured in custody in Liberia before his extradition to America. The pilot also claimed he had been beaten at a military base in the United States, an allegation rejected by the White House.
Russian news agencies reported on April 4 that Reed had ended a hunger strike and was being treated in his prison’s medical center.
Reed’s parents said at the time that he had been exposed to an inmate with tuberculosis in December.
The prison service said Reed tested negative for tuberculosis.