Judy: Amid the back and forth
between Russia and the U.S. Over
the fates of two Americans
detained in Russian jails, one
American has not been part of
those intensifying negotiations.
Amna nawaz is back now with his
story.
Amna: Russia's foreign minister
lavrov said today he'll soon
propose a date for talks with
U.S. Secretary of state blinken,
as Russia weighs a prisoner swap
to free detained Americans
Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.
But there's a third American,
also held by Russia, and
detained now for almost a year.
His name is Marc Fogel.
He's a 61-year-old teacher who's
lived and worked in Russia for
nine years.
And in a case strikingly similar
to Griner, Fogel was arrested
when Russian airport authorities
found vape cartridges and
cannabis buds in his luggage in
August 2021.
He was accused of intending to
sell to students, convicted, and
sentenced to 14 years of hard
labor.
Fogel's family says he suffers
from chronic pain, and the
marijuana was medicinal.
They want the U.S. Government to
bring him home.
Joining me now, from missoula,
Montana, is his sister, Anne
Fogel.
Welcome to the newshour and
thank you for joining us.
Tell us how is your brother
doing, have you been able to
communicate with him in any way?
Anne: No one has talked to him.
We've been able to write some
letters through the Russian
prison system.
It is a bit of a convoluted
system because while sometimes
he can get our letters in
English, sometimes he gets them
in Russian and they get
translated into English.
Then we get a photocopied
picture of the handwritten
And then we have to find a
translator where we are.
There's a lot lost in
translation.
Amna: I'm sure you are watching
secretary blinken announcing
this week they've put forward a
deal, a proposed deal to Russia.
Secretary blinken mentioned
Brittney Griner.
He mentioned Paul Wheelan.
He didn't mention your brother's
name.
And I just wonder what you
thought in that moment.
Anne: It was a gut punch.
It was a gut punch.
We've been trying to raise our
voices.
We were advised by the state
department to keep a low profile
through sentencing, which we
did.
And we've been really trying to
follow the rules and really give
the Russian judicial judicial
system a chance to work.
Over the past year, of course,
things have gotten so much --
the relationship has gotten so
much worse.
So that became apparent that
time was not playing in our
favor at all.
It is hard to hear secretary
blinken talk about Brittney
Griner and Whalen and not
include Marc.
Amna: Do you believe that the us
government is right now doing
everything it can to free your
brother?
Anne: No, I don't, because he
has not been deemed wrongfully
detained.
We need that moniker in order to
move him into the the potential
negotiations for the swap.
No, I don't think so.
I'm hopeful.
I'm hopeful that things will
come right.
I think that we've gotten a lot
of letters sent to the state
department.
There's a petition now that's
going about, and of course we're
on the newshour.
So this is a very positive
thing.
Luckily, we've had some coverage
from the other networks as well.
So we're very, very thankful for
that.
Amna: Tell us a little bit about
your brother.
He chose to go there.
He'd been living in Russia for
nine years.
He was teaching at what I
understand to be sort of
international school where U.S.
And British and Canadian
diplomats sent their kids.
Why was he there?
Why did he choose this work?
Tell us about him.
Anne: Marc had always had a had
a wanderlust and chose to join
the international community.
36 years ago.
He has lived in, I think, seven
different countries with his
wife and kids.
They raised their kids overseas.
He comes home every summer and
every Christmas, but their life
has been overseas and they love
that.
They love Russia.
They love the Russian people.
So he is a true blue history
teacher.
He's an extremely passionate
person.
He was really able to make that
work in his life where he got to
do his passion.
And I don't think he's ever
worked a day in his life.
I think his students would say
the same thing.
He has inspired a lot of people,
including the son of the former
ambassador, Michael Mcfaul.
His son was in Marc's class as
well.
Amna: And we know ambassador
Mcfaul has been among those
publicly calling for your
brother's release.
Your family has said publicly he
suffers from chronic pain.
That's why he had the medicinal
marijuana with him, a 14 year
prison sentence.
What do you worry that would do
to him?
Anne: He is meant to go to a
work colony.
I don't see how that would be
possible.
His first back surgery was at 30
years of age.
He's had one failed back surgery
after another, which then
culminated in hip replacements
and shoulder surgeries.
He's not able to do manual work
at this point.
Limps, one leg is appreciably
smaller than the other.
He's got very significant
scarring on his back.
I just don't understand how the
the Russian courts didn't look
at the stack of medical files
that we sent and sent him home.
It's crushing.
He will not survive this.
He will not survive 14 years in
a work colony.
I think it is inhumane for the
U.S. Government to leave him.
That's how I feel.
Amna: And have you or anyone in
your family asked to speak
directly with president Biden?
Anne: Yes.
President Biden, I want to talk
to you, please.
He's a school teacher.
Your wife's a schoolteacher.
He has done amazing things.
He doesn't belong in a Russian
jail.
I would love to speak to
president Biden, he is my
president.
But no, we have not as of yet.
Amna: If this deal goes through,
are you concerned your brother
will be left behind?
Anne: As the deal currently
stands, yes, we're very worried
he's going to be left behind.
I worry that there will not be
another opportunity like this.
The thought of never seeing him
again is terrifying.
Amna: Is there anything else you
want people to know about your
brother?
Anne: He's an extort in person,
he's an extra ordinary teacher
and he needs to come home.
He just needs to come home.
Amna: That is Anne Fogel,
joining us from missoula,
non-tanner -- Montana.
She is the sister of Marc Fogel,
who is currently detained in
Russia and has been for a year.
Thank you so much for your time.
Anne: Thank you for sharing your