Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan who holds Irish citizenship, was arrested in December 2018 while in Russia for a wedding. He was designated as wrongfully detained and was convicted on espionage charges, which he and the U.S. government asserted were baseless. Whelan was serving a 16-year sentence.


His release occurred as part of the largest prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia in the post-Soviet era. Other individuals released by Russia include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Vladimir Kara-Murza, who holds both Russian and British citizenship.

Taoiseach Simon Harris announced that he received confirmation from the U.S. government that Whelan was included in the prisoner swap, which had been in negotiation for several months.


Mr. Harris stated, “I have spoken with the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, who confirmed the news. This will be an immense relief to his family, who have campaigned for his release for many years. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Ireland’s diplomatic team in Russia and our consular team in Dublin for their years of tireless work on this case.”