Family of Paul Whelan says his "resilience is shaken" as he awaits release in Russia

Washington — Family members of Paul Whelan, the U.S. businessman serving a 16-year prison sentence in Russia, said they are concerned that the White House and State Department are diverting resources away from his case and that he could be left behind again as the U.S. seeks the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, another American who has been wrongfully detained. 

"His resilience is shaken," Whelan's brother, David, wrote in an email update on Monday. "Paul seems rattled like never before, understandably apprehensive that the U.S. government will choose not to bring him home again, now that there is another American wrongfully detained by the Kremlin." 

Whelan was sentenced to 16 years behind bars in 2020 after being arrested on espionage charges at a Moscow hotel in December 2018.