American Teacher's 14-Year Russian Prison Term Sparks Family's Plea for Action

Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American history teacher, finds himself serving a 14-year sentence in a Russian prison, a situation that has left his family devastated and seeking urgent action from the U.S. government. Fogel's case has gained attention following a recent prisoner swap that excluded him, prompting his relatives to intensify their efforts for his release.

In 2012, Fogel relocated to Moscow with his wife Jane and their two sons, taking up a teaching position at the Anglo-American School. This institution, founded in 1949, primarily served children of Western diplomats. Fogel's tenure in Moscow was marked by professional success and personal fulfillment, particularly in his role as coach of the girls' softball team.

However, Fogel's life took a drastic turn in August 2021 when Russian customs officials at Sheremetyevo Airport, the busiest in Russia and fifth-busiest in Europe, discovered approximately half an ounce of medical marijuana in his luggage. Despite the substance being prescribed by U.S. doctors for chronic pain, a condition affecting an estimated 50 million American adults, its possession is illegal in Russia.

Ten months after his arrest, in June 2022, Fogel received a 14-year prison sentence for drug trafficking. This harsh penalty reflects Russia's strict drug laws, which can impose sentences of up to 20 years for such offenses.

Fogel's family was particularly distressed when he was not included in a recent prisoner exchange between Moscow and Western countries. This swap, which took place earlier this month, secured the release of several high-profile detainees, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. marine Paul Whelan. Gershkovich's case was notable as he was the first American journalist arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War.

"It just seems like an unbelievable occurrence to think that they released all those prisoners and they didn't include Marc. He's just shattered."

The family's lawyer, Sasha Phillips, emphasizes the critical importance of securing a "wrongfully detained" designation for Fogel. This status, established in 2020 under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, would prioritize Fogel's case and potentially facilitate his inclusion in future prisoner swaps.

Currently, Fogel is imprisoned in Rybinsk, a historic city on the Volga River approximately 320 kilometers north of Moscow. Despite the challenging circumstances, he finds solace in regular phone calls home and letters from former students, which his sister describes as keeping him "really lit up."

As the Fogel family continues their campaign for Marc's release, they face the challenge of garnering attention without the backing of a major organization. They hope that increased awareness of Fogel's situation will prompt the U.S. government to take more decisive action in securing his freedom.