WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – While WNBA player Brittney Griner has been released from a Russian prison after being held there for several months for violating the country’s drug laws, U.S. marine and Michigan resident Paul Whelan continues to languish in a prison there.

On Thursday, media reports confirmed from a U.S. official that Griner, who is black, was released as part of a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

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Sources familiar with the deal say the negotiated agreement was approved by President Joe Biden.

“We’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan,” Biden said. “We will keep negotiating in good faith for Paul’s release.”

Whelan, who is white, has been in Russian captivity since 2018 and the U.S. government has cited his imprisonment as being “wrongly detained.”

As Michigan News Source previously reported, Whelan’s family has been able to reestablish contact with him after not hearing from his over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Whelan’s brother, David Whelan, issued this statement: “This time, US government officials let us know in advance that Paul would be left behind, unlike last April when they left him. That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul. I do not know if he is aware yet, although he will surely learn from Russian media. Our parents have had calls with him every day since his return to IK-17 on December 2nd, and they will surely speak to him soon.”