Westmoreland Review

Members of the Pennsylvania delegation have called on the Biden Administration to include Marc Fogel in any prisoner swap negotiations with Russia. Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), along with U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA), are advocating for Fogel's release. Detained in Russia since August 2021, Fogel is serving a 14-year sentence for possession of medical marijuana used to treat his severe back injury.

“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.”

In December 2023, members of the Pennsylvania delegation sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken making a similar appeal for Fogel's inclusion in any potential prisoner swap alongside Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich.