Paul Whelan is Finally Back Home and Has Something to Say About Putin
In Novi, Michigan, local resident Paul Whelan didn’t hold back his criticism about Russian President, Vladimir Putin, after being released from incarceration in Russia. Whelan spent over five years behind bars on charges of espionage.
The ordeal began when Whelan was in Russia for a wedding back in 2018. He was suddenly arrested and subsequently jailed on allegations of spying. With no trial, and seemingly no evidence presented, the authorities sentenced him to 16 long years in prison in the year 2020.
However, Whelan was included in a large-scale prisoner exchange that freed two dozen people. The swap, the largest in post-Soviet history, came about after months of intricate negotiations and compromises.
Upon his return to the United States, Whelan overwhelmingly expressed both his relief and agitation. “I’m never going back there again,” Whelan affirmed, “Looking forward to seeing my family down here and just recuperating from five years, seven months, and five days of absolute nonsense.”
He couldn’t hold back his frustration towards the Russian government and Putin in particular. “This is how Putin runs his government. This is how Putin runs his country.” Whelan fired.
Now, with his feet back on U.S. soil, Whelan is relieved and grateful. He was full of appreciation for his family’s relentless efforts to pressure the U.S government over the span of years and for everyone who wished him well during his difficult time.
Finally, with his mind now focused on the simpler pleasures in life, he confirmed one of the first things he wants to do now that he’s free – eat a steak.
The timeline for Whelan’s return back to Michigan is currently unclear.
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
