Pa. Delegation Members Call for Fogel’s Inclusion in Prison Swap

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA), along with U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), released the following statement calling on the Biden Administration to include Marc Fogel in any prisoner swap made with Russia. Fogel, detained in Russia since August 2021, is currently 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 a December 2023 letter, members of the Pennsylvania delegation made a similar call to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that any potential prisoner swap must include Fogel, along with Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich.