Washington D.C. – Triblive, December 26, 2024
More than three years after he was arrested in Russia for possessing medical marijuana, the United States government has declared Marc Fogel wrongfully detained — a status that will provide him and his family much-needed resources as they continue to work for his release.
The Oakmont teacher, who has spent three years and three months incarcerated in Russia, received the designation from the Department of State at some point after mid-October, according to attorney Edward Phillips, who has been working with Fogel’s family.
“The main goal for the family is to make sure that he is kept a top priority for the government, that they continue to try to broker some sort of deal with the Russians,” he said.
Fogel’s family has been pushing for years to have him receive the label of “wrongfully detained,” and even filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of State and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in June, alleging the government was treating Fogel differently than others who had previously been held in Russia and released, including WNBA Star Brittney Griner.
Late Thursday, Phillips filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit in federal court.
