Paul Whelan: A year after the freedom from the Russian prison

Paul Whelan: A year after the freedom from the Russian prison

for Paul Whelan After more than five years of Russian detention, the return to the United States was a "interesting" experience-but not without challenges. "In the truest sense of the word you start from the front," he said in an interview with CNN on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the Camping exchange , which led to his release.

challenges after returning

"We really don't have much for people like me who have returned after five and a half years. The house is gone. The cars are gone. The job is gone. No health insurance," said Whhelan. His post -traumatic stress disorder is triggered in hotel rooms after being “violently arrested” during a Moscow visit to the wedding of a friend. This arrest due to allegations of espionage initiated his almost six -year nightmare in Russian detention.

The return to his home state Michigan was a adjustment process. After such a long absence, he even developed new seasonal allergies. "It took a while until I felt comfortable again to drive the same streets that I used to use before or to visit a park, especially with my dog when she was still alive," said Whelan.

The return to everyday life

"Routine activities that I hadn't done for five or six years was a big change. It took a few months to get used to it again." Despite his efforts, Whelan could not find a new job. He describes the challenge that some companies do not hire former prisoners, regardless of whether the detention was unjust. He also competes with other applicants who have no longer gaps in their resume.

"Most people understand the problem of unjustified imprisonment," said Whelan. "But you don't know how to deal with it because it doesn't necessarily fit your guidelines or procedures." He works closely with the democratic MPs from Michigan, Debbie Dingell and Haley Stevens, to say goodbye to a law that "financed the medical, dental and psychological care, which is listed in the Levinson law, which has never been financed, as well as compensation for former unexpectedly stated," he said.

The Levinson law and its importance

The Levinson Act codifies essential parts of US prison policy, including the position of the special representative for hostage matters, and determines criteria to determine unjustified imprisonment. Additional changes aim to increase support for the families of US prisoners and illegally stuck. Michaela Johnson, the deputy boss of the office of MP Dingell, emphasized: "Ms. Dingell works closely with Paul Whelan to understand and address the challenges with which political prisoners are faced with home when they return."

contact with former co -bass

Whelan is in contact with former fellow prisoners who were also imprisoned in the Russian criminal colony of IK-17 in Mordovia. This facility is now closed and is now being used for Ukrainian prisoners of war. "The conditions are bad, and food supply is worse than what we had," he reports.

He reveals that the prisoners, especially foreigners, are challenged to fight in Ukraine if they want to be released. Whelan is also unjustified in exchange with other alumni. These include Evan Gershkovich, who was released with him, as well as the Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva and the Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza , who were also part of the comprehensive exchange.

"" It is a unique circle of people for a wide variety of backgrounds who have not been brought together by our own voting, and we share similar experiences, "said Whelan and draws a comparison to the" island of the misaligned toys "from the Christmas film" Rudolph the red -nosed reindeer ".

A look into the future

When Whhelan thinks about how he wants to celebrate the one -year anniversary of his release, he says: "I have a special bottle of Scotch that I will probably open. I also have a box of cigars lying around."