Brittney Griner's release was forewarned to Paul Whelan's family.

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The Biden administration informed the family of Paul Whelan, a businessman and former Marine imprisoned in Russia on spying charges,

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that he would not be part of the prisoner swap Thursday that freed American basketball star Brittney Griner.

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David Whelan, Whelan's brother, said he can "can only picture the joy she will feel, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays," but the family's inability to bring her home remains tough.

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"That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us.And a catastrophe for Paul," David Whelan said.

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Since December 2018, Russia has held Whelan on espionage charges, which he and the U.S. deny.

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He headed global security for a Michigan auto parts supplier when he was arrested. Russia jailed him for 16 years in 2020.

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"I was detained for a crime that never occurred," Paul Whelan told.

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