Paul Whelan 'disappointed' by Joe Biden after being left behind in Griner deal
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Paul Whelan isn't happy to still be behind bars in Russia...saying on Thursday he's 'disappointed' with Joe Biden and his administration after he wasn't included in the deal with Brittney Griner.
Whelan spoke to CNN from a penal colony in Russia just hours after the United States successfully traded arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner...and he expressed his anger at the idea that he is still behind bars, while the WNBA star is on his way back.
CNN
“I am very disappointed that nothing else has been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest approaches,” said Whelan, who has been incarcerated in Russia for espionage since 2018 .
"I was arrested for a crime that never happened," he continued. "I don't understand why I'm still sitting here."
The retired Marine has, according to CNN, said he is "very happy" for Griner...but noted that the conditions he is in and the way he is being treated by Russian authorities couldn't be further from the ideal.
“It is quite obvious that I am being held hostage,” he said.
Whelan added that he hopes the Biden administration will "do everything they can to bring me home, whatever price they may have to pay at this point."
>"My suitcases are packed," he said. "I'm ready to go home. ...
Getty
Paul Whelan isn't happy to still be behind bars in Russia...saying on Thursday he's 'disappointed' with Joe Biden and his administration after he wasn't included in the deal with Brittney Griner.
Whelan spoke to CNN from a penal colony in Russia just hours after the United States successfully traded arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner...and he expressed his anger at the idea that he is still behind bars, while the WNBA star is on his way back.
CNN
“I am very disappointed that nothing else has been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest approaches,” said Whelan, who has been incarcerated in Russia for espionage since 2018 .
"I was arrested for a crime that never happened," he continued. "I don't understand why I'm still sitting here."
The retired Marine has, according to CNN, said he is "very happy" for Griner...but noted that the conditions he is in and the way he is being treated by Russian authorities couldn't be further from the ideal.
“It is quite obvious that I am being held hostage,” he said.
Whelan added that he hopes the Biden administration will "do everything they can to bring me home, whatever price they may have to pay at this point."
>"My suitcases are packed," he said. "I'm ready to go home. ...
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