'An enormous relief to his family' - Irish citizen Paul Whelan freed from Russian jail in prisoner swap

Irish citizen Paul Whelan has been released from prison in Russia as part of a prisoner exchange today negotiated between the Kremlin and Western countries.

Mr Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan who also holds Irish citizenship, was designated as wrongfully detained following his arrest in December 2018 after he had travelled to Russia for a wedding.

He was convicted of espionage charges which he and the US said were false, and was serving a 16-year sentence.

His release comes as part of the biggest prisoner swap between the US and Russia in post-Soviet history.

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Others released by Moscow include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has joint Russian and British nationality.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed Whelan’s release, saying he has received confirmation from the US government that Whelan’s release was part of the prisoner swap that had been negotiated over many months.

“I have spoken to the US Ambassador in Ireland who confirmed the news,” Harris said in a statement.

“I know this will be an enormous relief to his family who have campaigned for many years for his release.

“I would also like to thank Ireland’s diplomatic team in Russia and our consular team in Dublin for their years of tireless work on this case.”