Pennsylvania Teacher Marc Fogel Continues to Be Detained in Russian Prison, According to Lawmakers
Marc Fogel, 63, was detained at a Moscow airport in 2021 for possession of medical marijuana. He was sentenced in 2022 to 14 years and is currently incarcerated in Russia. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) highlighted his situation in a statement where he mentioned that Fogel was not part of a recent multi-country prisoner swap.
Despite the positive outcome of the prisoner swap, Casey expressed disappointment that Fogel’s release was not secured. Fogel, who hails from Butler County, uses medical marijuana to manage chronic health issues, particularly spinal pain. His health has deteriorated significantly while in custody in Russia.
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) echoed these sentiments in a statement, stating that while he is pleased for other hostages returning home, the exclusion of Fogel is disheartening.
President Joe Biden held a news conference celebrating the release of several individuals but acknowledged the challenges of negotiating such deals. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also reassured ongoing efforts to secure Fogel’s release.
Fogel’s case is likened to that of basketball star Brittney Griner, who faced a similar situation in Russia. Unlike Griner, Fogel has not been classified by the U.S. State Department as wrongfully detained. This prompted Pennsylvania representatives to introduce the Marc Fogel Act to address how the government determines wrongful detention of U.S. citizens.
From NTD News
