Risch Meets with Paul Whelan

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday met with former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was wrongfully imprisoned for over five and a half years in Russia.

“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.”

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