Brother of Russia-imprisoned American says contact resumed

By JIM HEINTZ
Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — The family of Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, says that he has resumed contact after unexpectedly becoming unreachable in November. Along with WNBA star Brittney Griner, Whelan is the focus of efforts by the United States to arrange a prisoner swap with Russia. The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the “merchant of death.” Whelan’s brother said Friday that Paul had called his parents early US time on Friday, the first time any family member had spoken with him since Nov. 23.