U.S. Declares Marc Fogel 'Wrongfully Detained' in Russia

The designation by the State Department intensifies efforts to secure the release of the American teacher serving a 14-year sentence for possessing medical marijuana.

Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania teacher, was arrested in Russia in August 2021 for carrying 17 grams of medically prescribed marijuana to treat chronic pain.
Fogel was convicted of drug smuggling in June 2022 and sentenced to 14 years in a high-security penal colony.
The U.S. State Department officially designated Fogel as 'wrongfully detained' in October 2024, a move that prioritizes his case for negotiation and support.
Fogel was excluded from two major U.S.-Russia prisoner swaps, including one in August 2024 that freed journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
The designation transfers oversight of his case to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, which specializes in securing the release of Americans held abroad.