Freed American Paul Whelan Vows Support for Other Detained Americans

Whelan meets with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, expressing gratitude and a commitment to aiding fellow detainees.

Paul Whelan, recently released from Russian detention, thanked lawmakers and government agencies for their efforts in securing his freedom.
Whelan highlighted the bipartisan effort that led to his release after five and a half years in a Russian prison.
He spent the last five days of his detention in solitary confinement, reflecting on his resilience during his captivity.
Whelan emphasized the need for better support systems for Americans wrongfully detained abroad and assured those still imprisoned that efforts are ongoing to secure their release.
The former Marine's release was part of a significant prisoner swap involving multiple countries, marking one of the largest exchanges since the Cold War.