Family of Oakmont teacher detained in Russia still fighting to bring him home 2 years later

PITTSBURGH — The fight to bring Marc Fogel home has reached the two-year mark.

“It’s been a real rollercoaster over the past two years. It’s exhausting,” Marc’s sister, Anne Fogel, told Channel 11 on Monday.

The 62-year-old teacher from Oakmont is in a Russian prison, serving 14 years for bringing a small amount of medical marijuana -- prescribed by his doctor for chronic back pain -- into Russia.

>> Family of Oakmont man detained in Russia demands answers, pleads for his freedom

“He’s just a totally normal guy who just wants to live his life and he’s stuck. And he’s stuck there for no reason. It’s not fair and he could die there. That’s how serious this is,” said Marc’s niece, Ellen Keelan.

Marc’s arrest on Aug. 14, 2021, came just before the start of his 10th year teaching at a Russian school.

>> Oakmont man held in Russia to be moved to labor camp

His wife, two sons, and the rest of the Fogel family have been pushing for his release ever since.

“We won’t let it die. We’re not going to let Marc down,” Anne Fogel said.

The Fogels regularly meet with members of Congress with the goal of pushing the US government to classify Marc as “wrongfully detained” like WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was released from Russia in December.

>> Family of local teacher imprisoned in Russia speaking out after Brittney Griner’s release

“Even once you have that designation it’s a long road to get him home, so it’s just stressful thinking we haven’t even really gotten to step one,” Keelan said.

Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler, Chris Deluzio, and Mike Kelly are among those working with the Fogel family.

In June, they introduced the Marc Fogel Act to require more transparency from the State Department on how wrongful detainment determinations are made.

“It’s more important now than ever. The longer he spends over there, the harder this gets and the more concerned we get,” Keelan said.

To learn more about Marc’s story, or see how you can get involved, click here.

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