Marc Fogel

Pennsylvania’s Forgotten Teacher: Marc Fogel Left Out of Russian Prisoner Swap

Why was Marc Fogel, a teacher from Pennsylvania, left out of the recent U.S.-Russia prisoner swap? His family is heartbroken and demanding answers.

Pennsylvania's Marc Fogel remains behind bars in a Russian prison after being omitted from a high-profile U.S.-Russia prisoner swap. Despite his family's relentless advocacy, they say they've received little support from the Biden administration, heightening their frustration and heartbreak.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) expressed his disappointment regarding Fogel's exclusion, emphasizing that Fogel, a teacher, is still languishing in a Russian penal colony. Casey's statement follows the release of Americans Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in the multi-country prisoner swap, which did not involve Fogel.

Anne Fogel, Marc's sister, described the omission as feeling akin to being "stabbed in the back." She voiced her family's profound disillusionment and pleaded for more robust efforts from the Biden administration to secure Marc's release. Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison in 2022 for smuggling a small amount of marijuana into the country—a charge his supporters contend is disproportionately harsh.

The Fogel family isn't alone in their anguish. Media attention has highlighted other Americans detained abroad, amplifying calls for their return, yet Marc's case has seen less spotlight. His 95-year-old mother, Malphine, shares a weekly phone call with him, clinging to hope while his wife and children endure the pain of separation.

Interestingly, Marc Fogel's predicament underscores a broader issue of uneven diplomatic efforts to repatriate detained Americans. His case discrepancies with others highlight the need for more consistent international strategies.

Also worth noting is that while Fogel's story has gained some media traction, it still pales compared to more publicized cases. Advocates argue that the mainstream media's selective coverage affects diplomatic urgency, pressing for equal attention across all detained Americans.