U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan on September 17, 2024. Whelan was imprisoned in Russia for over five and a half years.
“I was glad to meet with Paul Whelan yesterday and welcome him home after five and a half long years in Russian detention on false charges. Paul shared with me the realities of being wrongfully detained in Russia. Vladimir Putin’s use of Americans as political pawns is reprehensible – responsible nations do not use hostage taking to further their goals. I thank Paul for his insights and wish him well as he re-assimilates back home with his family and friends,” said Risch.
