Oakmont teacher not released from Russian prison during swap, despite efforts from PA lawmakers

UPDATE (12:05 P.M.)

Senator Bob Casey released a statement after learning that Marc Fogel would not be released.

“This prisoner swap is good news for Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and their families, but Marc Fogel is still sitting in a Russian prison. Marc Fogel is a teacher from Pittsburgh with chronic health issues whose health has declined significantly during his imprisonment. His 95-year-old mother, Malphine, fears she will never see him again. As we celebrate the good news of today, we cannot forget about Marc and the Fogel family. For years, I have been working alongside Marc’s family to push the Administration to bring Marc home. Negotiating with a foreign adversary is no easy task, but as the Administration has worked to bring home high-profile Americans like Brittney Griner, Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Whelan—we have only asked that they also prioritize Marc’s release. While Marc’s name may not be in the news every day, he is no less deserving of a reunion with his family. This is a difficult day for Marc and his family. I have not forgotten about Marc, and I will never give up on bringing him home. I urge everyone who fought to bring Evan and Paul home to now work to do the same for Marc,” Casey said.

UPDATE (11:35 A.M.)

Despite a push from lawmakers, Marc Fogel was not released in a Russian prisoner swap on Thursday.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing for an Oakmont teacher to be released from prison during an reported Russian prisoner swap.

Marc Fogel was arrested in 2021 on Aug. 14. He had a small amount of medical marijuana and was sentenced to 14 years.

>> Family of Oakmont man detained in Russia demands answers, pleads for his freedom

On Thursday, reports said that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan will be released from Russian prisons as part of an upcoming prison swap.

>> Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan to be released from Russian prisons in prisoner swap

Pennsylvania lawmakers are hoping the swap can be an opportunity to bring Fogel home too.

>> Family of Oakmont teacher detained in Russia suing federal government

Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman and Representatives Mike Kelly, Chris Deluzio and Reschenthaler released a statement on Thursday calling on President Biden and his administration to get Fogel added to the deal.

The statement said:

“As news of a potential prisoner exchange is being reported, we urge that any swap include Pennsylvania’s Marc Fogel, along with Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich,” said the lawmakers. “Marc is a Pennsylvania teacher with severe health issues who has been unjustly imprisoned in a Russian prison for three years, and as the congressional members who represent Marc and his family, we have been pushing to bring Marc home as quickly as possible. As negotiations are ongoing with the Russian Federation, we respectfully request that any potential prisoner swap include Marc Fogel.”

To learn more about Marc’s story, or see how you can get involved, click here.

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