Ex-US Marine Paul Whelan calls on Biden to treat his Russian captivity as if President's 'own son' was being held hostage

WASHINGTON, DC: Paul Whelan, the former US Marine detained in Russia since 2018 has called on President Joe Biden to prioritize his case "as he would do if his own son were being held hostage."

In a call with CNN on Thursday, July 4, Whelan said, “I would hope that the president truly makes my case truly a top priority and leverages the resources available to him as he would do if his own son were being held hostage."

Paul Whelan says his living conditions in Russian prison 'defy human rights'

Drawing attention to the issue of Americans detained abroad, Paul Whelan stated, “As the United States celebrates another year of independence, America should not forget that several of its citizens are being held hostage around the world by rogue regimes intent on exacting some form of ransom from the US government."

"These wrongful detentions undermine our concepts of rights and freedoms. They should not be tolerated, tacitly nor otherwise,” he continued in the call with CNN.

Speaking about his life in Russia, Whelan said, “My detention at the hands of the Russian government over more than five and a half years, for a charge of espionage that never occurred, subjects me to slave labor six days a week, and living conditions that defy human rights,” Whelan added.

Ongoing efforts for Paul Whelan's release from Russia's clutch

Paul Whelan was taken into custody in 2018 over spying allegations. In 2020, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

In February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed the US government's commitment to Whelan's release, according to The Hill.

“Our intensive efforts to bring Paul home continue every single day," said Blinken who said he talked to Whelan via phone.

Referencing a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was also detained by Russia, Blinken said, "And they will, until he and Evan Gershkovich and every other American wrongfully detained are back with their loved ones."

Internet divided over Paul Whelan urging Joe Biden to prioritize his freedom

Reacting to the now-detained US Marine urging Joe Biden to consider his case as if his own son was held hostage, one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "I'm still amazed that Paul is still over there. He should have been included in the negotiations when Brittney Griner was released."

"I guess he doesn’t know President Biden said he would not pardon Hunter," a netizen commented while another user wrote, "One of Biden’s sons gave his life to this country. He doesn’t have to pretend."

"Also thinking today of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. May they, too, soon be freed," a netizen tweeted.

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