WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the statement below following the announcement that Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich were released from Russian prison:

“I am relieved that Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich will soon return home after years of wrongful detention in Russia. The baseless charges, sham trials, and unjust imprisonment of these men is a stark reminder of Russia’s blatant disregard for human rights and its continued oppression of innocent Americans.”

“I join the American people in celebrating the long-awaited release of Paul and Evan and urge the Biden Administration to continue working to secure the freedom of other innocent Americans, including Texans Austin Tice and Mark Swidan.”