Today marks Paul Whelan’s 1825th day of captivity in a Russian prison. Whelan, a 53-year-old former active duty U.S. Marine and corporate security executive from Michigan, has been designated as being “wrongly detained” by Russia, having been behind bars since the end of 2018, serving a 16- year-sentence for spying – a charge that the American government argues is without merit.
On Friday, December 22nd, Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hostage Task Force, had their bill, the “Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act“, signed into law through the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
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The bill provides families of wrongfully detained Americans with travel cost assistance, including travel by air, train, bus or other transit and money for lodging for two nights, in order to assist them in their travels to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of their loved one.
The legislation covers any spouse, father, mother, child, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, cousin, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother or half sister who lives 50 miles or more from Washington D.C. and allows for not more than two family members to be covered unless the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs determines that circumstances warrant an additional family member or other individual to be approved.
The legislation also makes available physical health services, mental health services and other support as appropriate, including providing information on available legal or financial services to the American who is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad and any family member of that person.
The support listed in the legislation is available for a period of five years from the time an individual chooses to avail themselves of the assistance offered unless circumstances warrant extending the support.
Rep. Stevens, who has been fighting for Paul’s release on an ongoing basis said, “I’m heartened that provisions from the Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act I co- sponsored with Rep. French Hill was just signed into law by President Biden as part of the NDAA. These families have had to deal with unimaginable pain awaiting the fate of their loved ones, and the last thing they should have to consider is their finances. With these provisions, families of hostages will be able to come to DC with a singular focus: ensuring the safe return home of those most important to them in their life. Their stories play an instrumental role in this fight, and we need to make them heard.”
Michigan News Source had reported on an earlier version of this legislation in March, pointing out that the original legislation only covered expenses to Washington D.C., not necessarily getting back home. That oversight in the language has been corrected since the article was posted to now include the phrase “to and from” when describing the traveling involved.
Michigan News Source reached out Paul’s sister, Elizabeth, about the passage of the legislation and her hopes for the new year. She said, “It is uncomfortable to have personal financial info made public, but I did provide some figures illustrating the cost of advocacy to the Senate and House in order to help move the legislation along. The funding for the post-isolation support for returning Americans who have been wrongfully detained was paramount, but also important on a personal level was the funding for families to travel to DC – many of whom cannot afford travel to DC on a regular basis – to get in-person updates from those trying to bring their wrongfully detained loved ones home, and to encourage their efforts.”
Elizabeth went on to say, “Although I stay in touch with members of Congress, the Dept of State and the SPEHA group, plus officials on the NSC, via phone and email (and even Zoom) everyone is sensitive about information being shared across open lines. Although families are not privy to any classified information, we get a more full picture of efforts for Paul, for example, by going to DC in person.”
Elizabeth continued, “This legislation allows for 2 trips of 2 days per year, which is obviously a drop in the bucket when compared to the 26 trips I have now made on Paul’s behalf over five years both to DC and the United Nations in NYC. But it’s a start, and I believe what is most important, is that we have seen a real awakening in DC to the reality of hostage diplomacy; what it means for the Americans wrongfully held; what it means for the families; and the practical measures that need to be taken to support both during and after a wrongful detention. And I plan to apply for the travel assistance immediately, as I need to get back to DC in January to find out where things stand for Paul.”
Elizabeth has reportedly spent more than $100,000 so far in her efforts to get her brother back home. That amount was reported by the Detroit News who also recently had an exclusive interview with Paul Whelan. Elizabeth told the media outlet, “It’s terribly expensive, but those face-to-face meetings are really important” adding, “It doesn’t get your loved one home faster, necessarily. But especially the first couple of years … what would have happened to Paul without that constant showing up and reminding everybody that there was something to be done?”
Paul’s twin brother, David, and parents 84-year-old Edward and 86-year-old Rosemary are also tireless advocates for Paul, with David using vacation time from work to advocate for his brother and communicate with the media with interviews. He also keeps the media informed of new and changing conditions concerning his brother through an email list. Their parents, who live in Manchester, in south west Washtenaw county, are also on the front lines of the fight to bring their son home. They do interviews and participate in walks and fundraisers for Paul and others who are unlawfully detained in order to bring attention to their plight.
In the Detroit News interview with Paul, they reported that he isn’t allowed to celebrate Christmas at all. No gifts, No decorations. No celebrations. No special food. Paul said about his situation, “I’m depressed, to be quite honest…I’m concerned that his administration will work out a deal for the (American) journalist that’s being held and will leave me here a third time.” He added, “I’m told everyone is doing all they can and that my release is a ‘top priority.’ But after five years, that sounds like my New Year’s resolutions – quickly set aside and soon forgotten.”
Whelan blamed both presidents Biden and Trump in the phone call, saying that neither has done enough to secure his release. On December 14th, the Associated Press reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he wants to make a deal to release Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Putin said, “I hope we will find a solution…But, I repeat, the American side must hear us and make a decision that will satisfy the Russian side as well.”
Meanwhile, because of the war between Israel and Hamas, things have changed regarding the safety at the labor camp where Paul is held, with Muslim prisoners from central Asia being detained there. That led to a fellow prisoner attacking Paul back at the end of November. Paul also worries about the lack of medical care if something serious like a heart attack, stroke, stabbing or other attack would happen to him. He said to the Free Press if that were to happen, “I’m done. That’s it.”
Michigan News Source will continue to follow the story of Paul Whelan and his family until he is brought back home to the United States.
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