Former US marine Paul Whelan opened up about his time in a Russian prison after having been released in August, noting that it was hard to assimilate back home.
He revealed that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after being forced to spend almost six years behind bars. As such, a GoFundMe has been launched in his honor, to help him "integrate into a new life."
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The GoFundMe, at the time of writing, has accumulated about $40,935 out of the $100,000 target. Over 388 donations have been made, and William Scheff is organizing the appeal on Paul Whelan's behalf.
In his first interview back, the veteran told Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan moderator Margaret Brennan on Thursday,
"From Day One, I was being told that there would be a trade, a political solution to this situation. But as it dragged on, it did play with my mind. There was a psychological piece to this, that even though now, I seem like I'm doing OK, I've put back on some of the weight that I lost."
Veteran Paul Whelan describes his living conditions behind bars as "tedious, monotonous, and filthy"
Paul Whelan was arrested in December 2018, on the grounds of espionage charges, which he and the US have since denied. He was released this August, after about 2,043 days (5 years 7 months, and 5 days) behind bars.
During the interview, he reflected on his living conditions as a victim of the criminal justice system, noting that he survived on bread, tea, and watered-down fish soup alone.
He continued, reflecting on how he was only allowed to shower- in cold water- once a week, and would spend his days sewing buttons onto winter uniforms for the government officials. He said,
"It was tedious, monotonous and filthy. You are somewhere you don’t necessarily want to be, you know, in miserable conditions, doing things you don’t want to do with people you don’t really want to be with. You have absolutely no control over when you’re going to leave and go home.”
Whelan was apprehended when he was in Moscow for a friend's wedding. He recalled the moment the "Federal Security Service" burst in and placed him "under arrest for espionage," to which he said, "I have not committed espionage."
He revealed that he initially thought the whole debacle was a prank-- until he found himself detained in a 9-foot-square cell in Lefortovo Prison.
Furthermore, he recalled an instance where he had to undergo an emergency hernia surgery during the odd hours of the night. According to him, half of the hospital's overhead lighting malfunctioned, and doctors relied on unhygienic tools to complete the procedure in conditions unfit for an operation theatre.
In speaking about how looking at the photos of himself during his time behind bars makes him feel, he claims it "takes [him] back to being in that court or being in the prison." Noting that it is "a "form of PTSD," Paul Whelan acknowledged that the symptoms may quiet down in time, but it's difficult for him to "compartmentalize and block out that portion of what I went through."
Paul Whelan's GoFundMe bio says he is "resilient," but has an "obvious challenge ahead"
Paul Whelan's GoFundMe reads:
"Paul Whelan spent 2,043 days (5 years 7 months and 5 days) as a hostage of the Russian government, held captive due to a fabricated espionage charge, Russia’s desire for a prisoner exchange, and the mere fact that Paul is an American citizen. The U.S. Department of State designated Paul as having been wrongfully detained. Paul’s release occurred on August 1, 2024. His return home was part of the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States since the Cold War."
The statement continues, reflecting on how he made his way back:
"Upon arriving in the United States, Paul was greeted by President Biden and Vice President Harris before traveling to a military station and participating in a post-isolation reintegration program. Paul is a resilient person, but he has an obvious challenge ahead. He lost his job, his home, his car, his personal property as well as any semblance of normality. He turned 54 years old in Russia and lost more than five years of opportunity to earn and generate resources during a critical time in his professional career. He's doing as well as he can, but being held hostage did have a tremendous impact on his life."
Per the website bio, all proceeds made will go towards offsetting "the costs to rebuild and restart his life." The goal is to tend to his "immediate needs," and to "help him until he can get to a place where he is, once again, entirely self-sufficient." The plea continues,
"He needs help to cover expenses for housing, a car, medical, dental, and optical care. To seek employment, he needs a phone, computer, wardrobe and a host of other personal items. Your gifts will allow him to get a fresh start. Paul is relying on the kindness and generosity of Americans to help a fellow patriot re-acclimate, and feel a sense of community and get back on his feet."
Paul Whelan is now back in his home in Michigan, and the veteran asserts his commitment to "share what's happened to me and why it happened, so that others in, you know, similar lifestyles, traveling the world, working abroad, don't fall into the same trap that I did."
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