Michigan's Paul Whelan being released by Russia as part of prisoner swap involving two dozen others
(FOX 2) - Paul Whelan will be heading home after Russia releases him as part of a major prisoner swap that involves the Novi native who has been waiting years to come home.
Also involved in the swap is Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was wrongfully imprisoned as well, according to media reports Thursday morning.
While Whelan's name has been floated as a figure of a potential swap for years, Russia has refused to release him. He was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison after his arrest in 2018.
There have been ongoing discussions to get Whelan back to the United States, though he was never freed.
Last year, his brother said Whelan was assaulted while detained in the country. His family said they took a phone call from Whelan today and he told them he was assaulted while working at a sewing table.
He told them another prisoner reportedly blocked part of the production line, and after being asked repeatedly to move, hit Whelan in the face. The other prisoners then intervened and stopped the attack from escalating.
According to the Associated Press, the massive deal includes freeing around 24 people. They cited officials in Turkey where the exchange took place.
The trade took place despite Russia-U.S. relations being at their worst since the Cold War due to President Vladimir Putin's ordered invasion of Ukraine.
Paul Whelan, a former US Marine accused of spying and arrested in Russia stands inside a defendants cage during a hearing at a court in Moscow on August 23, 2019. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP vi
The sprawling deal is the latest in a series of prisoner swaps negotiated between Russia and the U.S. in the last two years but the first to require significant concessions from other countries. But the release of Americans has come at a price: Russia has secured the freedom of its own nationals convicted of serious crimes in the West by trading them for journalists, dissidents and other Westerners convicted and sentenced in a highly politicized legal system on charges the U.S. considers bogus.
A parade of Michigan representatives celebrated Whelan and Gershkovich's freedom shortly after it was announced.
"Today is a joyous and long overdue day for Paul, his family, and all who have been working tirelessly to get him back home to Michigan," U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said in a statement. "For the past several years, I have worked with Administration officials, my colleagues, and Paul’s family to press for his release, and I’m beyond relieved that today marks the end of this unimaginable nightmare for Paul and his loved ones. Michigan welcomes him home with open arms."
Others celebrating their release included Congressmembers Elissa Slotkin, Tim Walberg, and U.S. Debbie Stabenow.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.