## Marc Fogel's Unjust Imprisonment in Russia
Marc Fogel, a former teacher at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, has been unjustly imprisoned in Russia since August 2021. He was arrested for possessing a small amount of medical marijuana, prescribed by his Pennsylvania doctor for chronic pain. Despite being a legal medical marijuana patient in Pennsylvania, Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Russian court in June 2022.
This week, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations voted in favor of a bipartisan resolution calling for Fogel's immediate release. The resolution, sponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.), sends a clear message to Russia that the United States will not tolerate the imprisonment of its citizens on such unjust grounds.
Senator Casey has been a vocal advocate for Fogel's release, urging the Biden administration to prioritize his case and designate him as "wrongfully detained." He has also led efforts to pass The Marc Fogel Act, which would require the State Department to explain why wrongful detention was not declared in cases of U.S. nationals detained abroad within six months of arrest.
The resolution now heads to the full Senate for consideration. It also urges the Biden Administration to prioritize securing the release of other U.S. citizens wrongfully detained by Russia, including former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
The case of Marc Fogel highlights the importance of advocating for the rights of American citizens abroad and ensuring their fair treatment under the law. It also underscores the need for clear and consistent policies regarding the designation of wrongful detention and the support provided to wrongfully detained individuals.