Paul Whelan thanks Brittney Griner for support after his release
- Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison on espionage charges while Brittney Griner was arrested for drug possession.
- Griner advocated for Whelan's freedom after her release, organizing support and urging discussions with U.S. officials.
- Whelan was finally freed in August 2023, attributing much of his advocacy to Griner's efforts during and after her captivity.
In 2022, following Brittney Griner's arrest in Russia for drug charges, her plight became intertwined with that of Paul Whelan, a retired U.S. Marine imprisoned on espionage charges. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison after agents discovered cannabis oil in her luggage. The U.S. government facilitated a prisoner swap for Griner and other American detainees, but Whelan was notably excluded, leading him to feel abandoned. His release did not come until a later agreement in August 2023, which saw him freed alongside another detainee, Evan Gershkovich, in a deal involving several nations, highlighting the intricate geopolitics of such negotiations. Whelan credited Griner for advocating on his behalf after her release, as she mobilized support and urged conversations around his freedom. The psychological toll of his captivity was profound, and upon his return, he began the challenging journey of recovery, including battling post-traumatic stress disorder. The case raises awareness of the complexities surrounding American detainees abroad and the urgent need for advocacy in these situations.