‘Welcome news’: Paul Whelan’s family responds to declaration against arbitrary detention Paul Whelan convicted of espionage in Russia
Paul Whelan, a former US Marine accused of spying in Russia, appears in the dock at a court in Moscow (AP)
Canada launched a Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations on Monday.
The declaration aims to raise awareness and stop the practice of arbitrary detention. Arbitrary detention is when someone is arrested or detained but there is no likelihood or evidence that they committed a crime -- or there hasn’t been a proper due process of law.
The brother of a Michigan man convicted of espionage in Russia released a statement saying that the declaration was “welcome news.”
READ : Michigan family hopeful Biden can help free Paul Whelan from Russian prison
The joint Declaration Against Arbitrary Detentions was welcome news on Monday. Canada launched the declaration with an aim ‘to raise awareness and stop the practice of arbitrary detention,’ among others. All four countries of which Paul’s a citizen - the US, UK, Ireland, and Canada - have endorsed the agreement. Not surprisingly, the nations that engage in this sort of hostage diplomacy, like the Russian Federation, have not endorsed it.
It is a low bar to oppose arbitrary arrest, detention, and sentencing. This opposition shouldn’t need to be put in writing but we are grateful for Canada’s leadership on the declaration. By highlighting those who oppose arbitrary detention, it places in shadow those nations that are willing to engage in taking hostages as a diplomatic tool.
David Whelan Paul Whelan was arrested in Russia when he went to attend a wedding in December 2018 . Russian security agents claimed he had possession of Zip drive with Russian agent information on it.
Whelan remains in custody in Mordovia, roughly 250 miles southeast of Moscow.
READ : Michigan family expects Paul Whelan to remain behind bars in Russia for at least another year
Copyright 2021 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Kayla Clarke headshot
Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.
Ceasefire extended: Strait of Hormuz remains closed ▶ 2:45
Ceasefire extended: Strait of Hormuz remains closed
5 Things Insurance Says that IS NOT TRUE ▶ 0:26
5 Things Insurance Says that IS NOT TRUE
Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren talks lessons learned for Game 2 ▶ 0:47
Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren talks lessons learned for Game 2
4 people rescued after boat capsizes in Detroit River ▶ 1:15
4 people rescued after boat capsizes in Detroit River
Two families mourning after gas station fight leaves 3 dead ▶ 0:34
Two families mourning after gas station fight leaves 3 dead
How going back to work could hurt your case ▶ 0:29
How going back to work could hurt your case
Phone-free dining debate on Live In The D ▶ 1:17
Phone-free dining debate on Live In The D
Dispute with city of Detroit puts future of park in question ▶ 0:46
Dispute with city of Detroit puts future of park in question
Flashing stop signs coming to Dearborn Heights roads ▶ 0:30
Flashing stop signs coming to Dearborn Heights roads
Check out Martin County, Florida's over 115k acres of parks and conservation land ▶ 0:15
Check out Martin County, Florida's over 115k acres of parks and conservation land
Four people were rescued Tuesday morning after a boat capsized in the Detroit River ▶ 0:29
Four people were rescued Tuesday morning after a boat capsized in the Detroit River
WATCH OUT When Insurance Makes a Fast Offer ▶ 1:05
WATCH OUT When Insurance Makes a Fast Offer
Water wars game draws police warnings as Michigan seniors compete for cash ▶ 0:36
Water wars game draws police warnings as Michigan seniors compete for cash
Ferry service to Mackinac Island delayed ▶ 0:34
Ferry service to Mackinac Island delayed
Man jumps into action to save girlfriend in crash involving teen driver fleeing MSP ▶ 0:22
Man jumps into action to save girlfriend in crash involving teen driver fleeing MSP
Parents of college students hit with unexpected car insurance rules ▶ 2:21
Parents of college students hit with unexpected car insurance rules
Community rallies after deadly double shooting involving teens ▶ 0:37
Community rallies after deadly double shooting involving teens
Things you should NEVER do after an accident ▶ 1:04
Things you should NEVER do after an accident
The House of Refuge in Stuart, Florida is still standing after 150 years ▶ 0:16
The House of Refuge in Stuart, Florida is still standing after 150 years
$300 brick job turns into $1,129 demand ▶ 0:25
$300 brick job turns into $1,129 demand
Tariffs struck down as unconstitutional, businesses can seek refunds ▶ 1:50
Tariffs struck down as unconstitutional, businesses can seek refunds
Pistons on Game 1 loss to the Magic ▶ 1:04
Pistons on Game 1 loss to the Magic
Savion Hiter, Tommy Carr talk learned experiences with Michigan football ▶ 1:03
Savion Hiter, Tommy Carr talk learned experiences with Michigan football
Michigan Wolverines' Nico Andrighetto want's to return to CFP ▶ 1:01
Michigan Wolverines' Nico Andrighetto want's to return to CFP
Paradise anyone? Join Live in the D all week as April Morton takes you to beautiful Martin Co., Fl. ▶ 0:12
Paradise anyone? Join Live in the D all week as April Morton takes you to beautiful Martin Co., Fl.
Previous photo Next photo