Family of imprisoned American Paul Whelan says it remains a 'catastrophe' he is held in Russia

after Russian authorities said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage, was the"right decision" rather than"waiting for one that wasn't going to happen."

"It is so important to me that it is clear that we do not begrudge Ms. Griner her freedom," David Whelan said."As I have often remarked, Brittney's and Paul's cases were never really intertwined. It has always been a strong possibility that one might be freed without the other." A senior U.S. official told NBC News that the U.S. government had sought to have both Griner and Whelan released as part of a swap with the Kremlin, which wanted the return of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who has served 11 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. But the official said Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is an accused spy, and that the Kremlin gave the White House the choice of either Griner or Whelan — or none.

Amid questions as to why Whelan could not be released as well, President Joe Biden said at the White House on Thursday that"we have not forgotten about Paul Whelan."Erik Ortiz is a staff writer for NBC News focusing on racial injustice and social inequality.

Brittney committed a felony here in the United States by boarding a plane with drugs, she committed a crime in a foreign country by having drugs on her person, she disgraced everyone by committing these crimes, POTUS traded the merchant of death for her .. blood is on your hands

Erik Ortiz should be fired and this correction should appear at the top, not hidden at the bottom: “earlier version of this article misstated the choice the Biden administration was given over hostages. It was to swap for Griner or no one, not a choice between Griner or Whelan.”

Maybe some old service members should do a special rescue mission

21WFMJ Open treason Open treason and corruption from the Biden regime everyday

Morning_Joe It’s because he’s not a black female, America hating democrat lesbian. So of course Joe and the other crazy leftists don’t care about him.

I feel bad for his family. Biden admin you screwed up!

He should come out as trans, gay, black or something.

Morning_Joe Stay away from the Evil Empire, Russia, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The work isn't finished as long as we gat Folk be_in held captive over there that would be Free here at Home, the National Broadcasting Company is helping with the National attention, now Folk gat to campaign for Paul too, U no.✊🙏💯

There is still a reason he is in a Russian jail. Not a reason he would still be in jail here, but a reason. Not the reason the Russians are stating, but a real reason. He was a scam-artist in the US.

Y’all should read the article.

Yay we got a woke anthem kneeling women’s basketball player for a thug terrorist arms dealer while a marine sits in Russian jail. Worst trade ever POTUS

Morning_Joe Putin continues to be the enemy of the American people. Fair warning: do not travel to Russia.

heen_Doggish i -

He should have been released with her and obviously they only released her so it should have been Paul Whelan who I believe has been imprisoned since 2018.

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Griner swap leaving Paul Whelan behind is a ‘catastrophe’ for him, brother saysThe Biden administration’s decision to trade a convicted Russian arms dealer serving a long prison sentence for WNBA superstar Brittney Griner is a “catastrophe” for fellow wrongfully detained American Paul Whelan, according to his brother. We literally traded a certified killer nicknamed ‘Merchant of death’ for a WNBA player who hates this country. LGB FJB
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‘Catastrophe for Paul’: Whelan Cut From Griner Prisoner SwapThe former U.S. Marine’s lawyer said he is still being held at a penal colony, while Biden insisted Russia is taking a harder line on Whelan for “totally illegitimate reasons.” Great negotiation! He needs to identify as a black lesbian who is mediocre at basketball and then he could have come home too.
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WNBA star Brittney Griner freed in in swap for Russian arms dealerRussia freed Griner in a dramatic prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout but failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan. Slap in the face. Do your time.
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Russia-Ukraine live updates: Missiles rain on Ukraine after purported drone strikes in RussiaLATEST: Russia has run out of Iranian-made drones, according to Western officials. I understand that the Iranian drones can't handle the cold weather as well? Lies. Don't believe anything Russia says. Putin's been dying for a decade now. All garbage. UkeAmericanBflo
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WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, NewsGriner was traded for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap did not include retired Marine Paul Whelan who remains imprisoned in Russia, on espionage charges the U.S. says are false. Stop doing unpaid work for political PR types. Centering a rich, extractive, white man profiting from the systemic oppression of deliberately disenfranchised & violently harmed people in this news release instead of using a pic of BrittanyGriner? Gross as heck. 🤢
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