Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother Paul who is imprisoned in Russia. Willy Lowry / The National
Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother Paul who is imprisoned in Russia. Willy Lowry / The National
Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother Paul who is imprisoned in Russia. Willy Lowry / The National
Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother Paul who is imprisoned in Russia. Willy Lowry / The National

World

US

Biden calls family of American Paul Whelan imprisoned in Russia

White House official said the US president is committed to bringing him home, as well as other Americans detained abroad

AFP

July 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

US President Joe Biden on Friday called the sister of Paul Whelan, an American who is serving 16 years in Russian prison on espionage charges that he denies.

The conversation comes amid high tensions between Moscow and Washington over the war in Ukraine and also as the US aims to secure the release of two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion Brittney Griner from Russian detention.

The US leader told Elizabeth Whelan that "he is committed to bringing Paul home as soon as possible", a White House official said.

Mr Whelan was convicted on spying charges in Russia in 2020 and was sentenced to 16 years of hard labour.

"The US government will continue its efforts to secure the release of Paul as well as Brittney Griner and all other Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world," the official said.

Griner plead guilty on Thursday to bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil into the country, although she denied intending to break the law.

Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP
Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP

Mr Biden has made Griner's release a top priority and the attention has rekindled media interest in Mr Whelan, a former head of global security at a US auto-parts supplier, who has been detained since 2018.

Russia and the US regularly clash over the detention of each other's citizens and sometimes exchange them in scenes reminiscent of the Cold War.

In April, former US Marine Trevor Reed, serving a nine-year sentence in Russia for violence, was exchanged for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, imprisoned in the US since 2010 for drug trafficking.

Families of Americans detained abroad rally at the White House

Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother, Paul, who is currently jailed in Russia. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother, Paul, who is currently jailed in Russia. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
Family members of Iranian-American businessman Emad Shargi, who has been detained in Iran since April 2018, speak in front of the White House.
Family members of Iranian-American businessman Emad Shargi, who has been detained in Iran since April 2018, speak in front of the White House.
Ariana Shargi, daughter of Emad Shargi, poses for a photo in front of the White House.
Ariana Shargi, daughter of Emad Shargi, poses for a photo in front of the White House.
Trevor Reed's father, Joey, and his sister, Taylor, speak to reporters in front of the White House.
Trevor Reed's father, Joey, and his sister, Taylor, speak to reporters in front of the White House.
Carine Kanimba's father, Paul Rusesabagina, a US permanent resident, has been jailed in Rwanda.
Carine Kanimba's father, Paul Rusesabagina, a US permanent resident, has been jailed in Rwanda.
Joey and Taylor Reed speak to reporters about Trevor Reed's release from a Russian prison.
Joey and Taylor Reed speak to reporters about Trevor Reed's release from a Russian prison.
Teymoor and Tara Tahbaz display photos of their father, Morad, who is currently being held in Iran.
Teymoor and Tara Tahbaz display photos of their father, Morad, who is currently being held in Iran.
A sign hangs at a rally for the families of Americans wrongfully detained abroad.
A sign hangs at a rally for the families of Americans wrongfully detained abroad.
Bahareh Shargi, whose husband, Emad, is currently being held in Iran, speaks to reporters.
Bahareh Shargi, whose husband, Emad, is currently being held in Iran, speaks to reporters.
The families of Americans illegally detained abroad gather in front of the White House.
The families of Americans illegally detained abroad gather in front of the White House.
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Scoreline

Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')

Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')

Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'

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In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn 

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)

Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)

Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)

Updated: July 09, 2022, 7:37 AM`
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