Paul Whelan Expresses Concern Over Navalny's Death in Russian Prison

Paul Whelan, an American who has been held in Russia for over five years, expressed his concern about the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny in a prison. He told CNN on Tuesday that Navalny's death is "extremely worrying" for him.

"I can't go into details for obvious reasons, but one thing I want to mention is that if they were able to harm him, they could also harm me," said Whelan. He reached out to CNN while celebrating another birthday in his remote prison camp in Mordovia.

"It's really concerning to hear about Navalny's suspicious death. It's alarming to think that these kinds of things happen," he expressed.

"If they are willing to risk international consequences by targeting Navalny, they wouldn't hesitate to do the same to me. And then, they might blame the United States for not taking action to bring me back within five years," he continued. "So, when I've mentioned before that my life is in danger, this is exactly what I'm talking about."

Last month, CNN reported that the United States and Germany were in early discussions about a potential prisoner exchange involving Navalny and US citizens. However, according to a Western official, no formal offer had been made before Navalny passed away.

Whelan was arrested in Moscow in December 2018 on espionage charges that he has always denied. Despite his denial, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison in June 2020. The US State Department has labeled his detention as wrongful.

Whelan found it strange to be celebrating his 54th birthday in a Russian prison. He described the day as filled with small parties, tea, coffee, cakes, candies, a nice dinner, and cake. He mentioned spending time with friends, which helped him momentarily forget about being in prison and made life feel more bearable.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Paul Whelan in mid-February, marking the third time the top US diplomat has talked to the ex-Marine over the phone. They previously had conversations in August 2023 and December 2022.

During their latest call, Blinken reassured Whelan that the intense efforts to bring him home are ongoing every single day. He emphasized that these efforts will persist until Whelan, along with Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and every other American wrongfully detained, is reunited with their families.

Whelan said to CNN that the call was "really positive."

He mentioned, "I ended the call feeling confident that the Secretary and other members of the National Security Council are actively working to find a solution."

Whelan expressed his desire to have a conversation with President Joe Biden, sharing with CNN that he has requested multiple times for a call. He emphasized the importance of reminding the President and the National Security Council about his situation, being held captive by the Russian government. Whelan stressed the urgency for the Biden administration to take decisive action in order to secure his release. He highlighted that without intervention, he remains trapped, facing the possibility of being stranded indefinitely.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a sobering picture of the plight of Paul Whelan, an American unjustly detained in Russia for over five years. Whelan's concerns about the death of Alexey Navalny in prison and the potential implications for his own safety are deeply concerning. His sense of urgency and the ongoing efforts of the US State Department to secure his release highlight the dire need for decisive action.

Whelan's resilience and optimism amidst his ordeal are both inspiring and heartbreaking. His birthday celebration in prison, while undoubtedly bittersweet, serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit that has kept him going during his unjust incarceration. The call from Secretary Blinken offers a glimmer of hope, but Whelan's request for a conversation with President Biden underscores the urgency and importance of continued high-level engagement to bring him back to his family and freedom.