Early Life and Education of Paul Whelan: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Paul Whelan. A timeline of key moments.

Paul Whelan is a former U.S. Marine with Canadian, U.S., British, and Irish citizenship. He was discharged from the Marines in 2008 with a bad conduct discharge following a conviction on larceny-related charges.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 5, 1970: Paul Whelan's Birth

On March 5, 1970, Paul Nicholas Whelan, who is a Canadian-born former United States Marine with U.S., British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Birth of Dmitry Makarenko

In 1979, Dmitry Makarenko was born. He was later detained in the Northern Marianas by the United States on January 5, 2019.

1988: Graduation from High School

In 1988, Paul Whelan and his twin brother David graduated from Huron High School in the Ann Arbor area of Michigan.

1990: End of Studies at Northern Michigan University

In the fall of 1990, Paul Whelan concluded his courses at Northern Michigan University, which he had attended since the fall of 1988, without earning a degree.

2006: Travels to Russia Begin

From 2006, Paul Whelan traveled to Russia several times.

2013: Deposition Revealing Degrees

In a 2013 deposition, Paul Whelan stated that he holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and an MBA degree.

2016: Supported Donald Trump in US Presidential Election

In 2016, Paul Whelan supported Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election and posted in Russian after Trump's victory.

December 20, 2018: Putin Discusses Butina's Arrest

On December 20, 2018, while discussing Maria Butina's arrest, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia "will not arrest innocent people simply to exchange them."

December 28, 2018: Arrested in Russia

On December 28, 2018, Paul Whelan was arrested in Russia and accused of spying.

January 2, 2019: U.S. Ambassador Meets with Whelan

On January 2, 2019, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. met with Paul Whelan while he was in Russian custody and relayed that Whelan was in good health and spirits, but needed incidental needs from his family.

January 3, 2019: Formally Charged

On January 3, 2019, Paul Whelan was formally charged. He was allegedly apprehended in his hotel room at the Metropol Hotel while concluding a meeting with a Russian citizen who handed him a USB flash drive with a list of employees at a classified security agency.

January 4, 2019: British Foreign Secretary Comments

On January 4, 2019, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt expressed concern about Paul Whelan's situation and stated that individuals should not be used in diplomatic chess games. British and Irish consular officials were seeking access to Whelan.

January 5, 2019: Russian Foreign Ministry Statement

On January 5, 2019, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that on the day after Paul Whelan's arrest, the United States had detained a Russian citizen, Dmitry Makarenko, in the Northern Marianas.

January 6, 2019: Planned Return to Michigan

Paul Whelan had planned to return to Michigan via Saint Petersburg on January 6, 2019, according to his brother David.

March 2019: Held in Lefortovo Prison

As of March 2019, Paul Whelan was being held for trial in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison, where he shared a cell with a prisoner who spoke no English.

June 15, 2020: Sentenced to Prison

On June 15, 2020, Paul Whelan received a 16-year prison sentence in Russia.

December 2020: Held in High-Security Prison

As of December 2020, Paul Whelan was being held in a high-security prison, IK-17, located eight hours drive southeast of Moscow.

July 27, 2022: Proposed Prisoner Trade

On July 27, 2022, it was announced that President Joe Biden had offered a trade for Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner in exchange for Viktor Bout.

December 8, 2022: Griner-Bout Exchange

On December 8, 2022, Brittney Griner was exchanged for Viktor Bout, but Paul Whelan was not included in the exchange due to the Kremlin's refusal.

May 4, 2023: U.S. Ambassador Visit

On May 4, 2023, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy visited Paul Whelan in the remote Russian penal colony where he was being held.

August 16, 2023: Secretary Blinken Speaks with Whelan

On August 16, 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Paul Whelan on the phone and told him to "keep the faith and we're doing everything we can to bring you home as soon as possible."

November 28, 2023: Assault in Penal Colony

On November 28, 2023, it was reported that Paul Whelan had been assaulted during his time at the camp and was punched in the face by another inmate while working at a sewing table, breaking his glasses. David Whelan speculated that the assault may have been motivated by anti-American sentiment.