Marc Fogel designated as “wrongfully detained” in Russia, US government says

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania man detained in Russia, has been designated as “wrongfully detained,” according to a U.S. State Department spokesperson.

That designation by the US government was made official in October.

Fogel is currently serving a 14-year sentence in Russia for possession of medical marijuana.

Who is Marc Fogel?

While the Butler County native and his wife were returning to Russia in August 2021 for their 10th and final year of teaching in that country, Marc Fogel was arrested at the Moscow airport after his family said he was carrying 17 grams of marijuana for medical purposes. to treat chronic back pain.

The Oakmont teacher was convicted of drug trafficking and drug possession and sentenced to 14 years in a maximum security facility in Russia.

Fight to bring Marc Fogel home

Since his arrest, Marc Fogel’s family and law enforcement have been pleading with law enforcement to bring him home.

In 2022, thousands of people signed a petition asking the US government to do more to bring him home. Lawmakers, including Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of the US, also put pressure on President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to declare his arrest as an arbitrary arrest.

In December 2022, the US and Russia agreed to a prisoner exchange that included WNBA player Brittney Griner, but Marc Fogel was not included in the agreement.

In August, another prisoner exchange between Russia and the US brought home Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, but not Marc Fogel.

When President Biden was asked about Marc Fogel in August, he said, “We’re not giving up on that.”

An attempt was made to include Fogel in the August 1 agreement but officials were unable to do so.

Malphine Fogel, mother of Marc Fogel, He has criticized the Biden administration because he did not bring his son home.

“I may have time to borrow,” Malphine Fogel told KDKA-TV in July. “I don’t know how long I’ve been wanting to get home while I still know you.”

What does false imprisonment mean?

Wrongful imprisonment is a term that describes the absolute power of the US government to obtain the release of a prisoner.

According to the US State Department, once a person is determined to be wrongfully detained, offices “across the State Department and other US government agencies will work with their counterparts inside and outside of government to develop a strategy to secure their release.”

Finding a conviction is extremely rare, as most cases of Americans arrested or detained overseas “arise as a result of law enforcement and judicial processes,” according to the government.

Malphine Fogel sued the government in June in an attempt to bring her son home from Russia, but the case was dismissed on Thursday.

What happened next to Marc Fogel?

If the secretary of state designates a wrongfully detained person, the US government is required by law to work for their release, and may impose sanctions against the detaining country.

It also means the case is being referred to a division known as the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Abduction Affairs, or SPEHA, which specializes in negotiating the release of detainees and hostages around the world.

But there is no clear timeline for how long it takes to release someone.

What lawmakers are saying about Marc Fogel

Sen. Casey said the government’s appointment was “an important step” but the US “must finish the job and bring Marc home.”

US Attorney Chris Deluzio said “the fight to free him from his wrongful imprisonment in Russia is far from over,” while US Attorney Mike Kelly said the word is “long overdue” before adding that he will work until Marc Fogel is freed again. he met his family.

KD Fabián and Caitlin Yilek contributed reporting.