Oakmont Teacher Could Be Declared 'Wrongfully Detained' In Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is leading a bipartisan, bicameral congressional contingent clamoring to have Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel declared "wrongfully detained" in Russia.

The group of Senate and House leaders wrote Wednesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting that designation and asking President Joe Biden's administration to do everything in its power to bring Fogel home.

In 2022, Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a maximum security prison after being caught with 17 grams of medical marijuana with to treat a spinal condition. He was arrested in 2021 at a Moscow airport after going to Russia to teach.

Fogel was not included in the Aug. 1 multi-country prisoner exchange that brought several imprisoned Americans home.

"Designating Marc as 'wrongfully detained' will underscore the political nature of his continued detention by the Russian government and the failure of humanitarian and other efforts thus far to bring about Marc’s release," the letter to Blinken stated.

"It will also demonstrate that the U.S. government considers his case to be of equal importance to similar cases. Finally, it will bring to the family resources, such as a family engagement team, that can consistently support and communicate with Marc’s family.”

In addition to Casey, the letter was signed by senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Jon Tester of Montana and Marco Rubio of Florida, as well as the following U.S. representatives from Pennsylvania: Madeline Dean, Mary Gay, Chrissy Houlahan, Susan Wild, Summer Lee, Guy Reschenthaler, Glenn Thompson, Mike Kelly and Chris Deluzio.

Read the entire letter here.