The family of a Michigan man imprisoned in Russia say they have a new hope after they received a personal phone call from President Biden.
Russia detained Novi native Paul Whelan in 2018 and later sentenced him to 16 years in prison, on charges of espionage the U.S. says do not hold water.
Whelan’s sister appealed for help several times from President Biden.
But she feared her brother’s case was not high-profile enough for such direct action after the president instead phoned the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner. Russia arrested the Olympic gold medalist earlier this year.
Then, late last week, Whelan’s sister also got a call from Biden.
She says he reassured her the U.S. continues doing all it can to secure her brother’s safe return.
But any efforts along those lines remain behind the scenes, and the phone call Whelan’s family says they truly await is the one telling them he is on an airplane heading back home.