Why Paul Whelan Was Released Now

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After much persuasion and pressure from the White House, the former marine has been released from a Russian prison....


Paul Whelan's face looked white and expression less, as if someone had robbed it all from him. That is exactly what will happen to someone who has been deprived of social contact, light and air for a long time. 

An American citizen, Whelan was put into solitary confinement in Russia. He was recently released and could finally speak to him family. The whole month he was not allowed to shower or exercise. When he spoke, he was bound to sound weary, but has not lost his mind.

Speaking to the media his brother David Whelan said, till date he or his brother does not know charges for which he was put into solitary confinement. According to the Russian media, "Russian prison monitor Valery Krutov was quoted by Russian media as saying Paul had accumulated 'more than 10' minor infractions." "The prison has not provided this information to either Paul's lawyers or any consular representatives, despite being requested." 

Paul could be released only after the US Embassy could actually intervene after trying for almost 30 days. Is Russia becoming a dictatorial nation like Iran and China, confining citizens of other nations, without any prior reasons or felony charged?

Is democracy becoming a mockery in the free world? Apparently, Whelan has been charged for political espionage since 2018. Like him, another American citizen fights for his release and was detained in solitary in the penal colony of Mordovia. 

Paul Whelan -- who is a US, Irish, British and Canadian citizen -- was detained at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 by Russian authorities who alleged he was involved in an intelligence operation. The former United States Marine was sentenced to 16 years in prison on an espionage charge he vehemently denies.

When the crime has not been proved, it is only unfair to keep the person a prisoner. There are umpteen stories of unfair imprisonment. Most are inspired from political war going on between the nation that imprisons and the other trying to save. In the end, the collateral loss is of the person who is caught in this cross firing. 

Paul Whelan is one more to be added in that list of unfortunate lives.  

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