American Paul Whelan's sister, who has been detained in Russia since 2018, said why his family did not receive a call from the White House after President Biden. I was wondering. Vice President Kamala Harris contacted Britney Greener's wife and "reassured" their efforts to free the WNBA star.
"In the first place, we don't resent the attention the Greener family and her supporters have received from the President," Elizabeth Welan toldCNN on Wednesday."That's really great. They have resources that go far beyond what our family does.
" Our concern is with other families. I think it's not about working with some families. "Whelan was added. "There are more than 55 families who want to pay the same degree of attention. My brother has been detained by both the President [Trump and Byden] and the people of the entire parliament for three and a half years. "I have written hundreds of letters to."
Elizabeth Welan was "extremely disappointed" that the White HouseByden and Harriswere not contacted by the President. The day after he said, he said shortly after revealing that he had called Cherel Greener. She talks about her efforts to free her wife from Russian prison.
Byden said, "While providing his support to the family of Sherel and Britney and his administration pursuing all means to bring Britney home, they We promised to provide as much support as possible, "the White House said. Read conversation.
Former US Marine Paul Welan has been sentenced to16-year prisonafter being arrested in Moscow on suspicion of spying in 2018.
"I was surprised to hear this call this morning," said Elizabeth Welan. That's what it takes to take my brother home. What I really want to see is a working process that doesn't need it. "
" Our last high-level meeting was May 4th, "she claimed. "So it's been two months now."
Welan went on to send four letters to the administration, an email to White House staff Ron Klein, and national security. I asked my adviser, Jake Sullivan, to prepare for the meeting, but "it hasn't happened yet."
"At the same time, anyone who I thought this was a good idea for the message to the White House, other families with much less resources are their loved ones. You have to remember waiting for years and years to see the action of taking her home, "she continued. "People with less access than the Welan family. What we have to see is a little more fair when it comes to working with families."
She goes on to say that Americans are unfairly He called for more urgent action by the administration in all cases in custody. foreign country.
"I think the US government is doing everything it can to bring Paul and Britney home, but perhaps when it comes to working in public. The Welan family may need a meeting with the president. "
in another interview on Thursday, Paul Whelan His brother, Dave, responded to his sister as follows: -Half a year has passed, but no progress has been made to free Paul.
"I have never seen the US government build a framework or environment to anticipate this kind of illegal detention in the future," Dave Welan added. "So I feel like we're not going anywhere."
Greener, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, said in February Moscow that he had two cannabis vapor cartridges in his luggage. Has been detained since being arrested at the airport.
She was found guilty in a court hearing on Thursday and faced up to 10 years in prison.
Cherelle Griner wrote in her post onher Instagram that Biden and Harris said, "The time I spent with me and my commitment to take BG home. I am grateful. "
"I'm worried and frank until she gets home, but I'm hoping to know that the president has read my wife's letter and responded over time." She said. "BG knows that she can be relieved to know that she hasn't been forgotten."
