Butler mother troubled by detained son’s absence from Russia negotiations
Malphine Fogel is worried that the U.S. government will miss the chance to get her son, Marc Fogel, out of a Russian prison should his name not be included in a proposed prisoner swap deal between the two nations.
Marc Fogel, formerly of Butler, a 61-year-old husband and father of two who had lived in Oakmont, Allegheny County, was detained Aug. 14, 2021, after he was found in possession of less than an ounce of medical marijuana, which was acquired legally before traveling to Russia.
President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, the White House announced Thursday.
According to Malphine, her family has not been included in talks with White House officials, despite having written several letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Considering that her son has been detained longer than Griner, Malphine said she is frustrated and scared that Marc’s name has not been brought up in negotiation talks.
“The question is why Marc has not been included in these talks, in these swaps,” Malphine said. “I just think now is the time. I just worry that the opportunity is going to be missed if he is not included this time.”
Griner has been held in Russia since February on drug-related charges. She was sentenced last month to nine years in prison after pleading guilty and has appealed the punishment. Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage-related charges that he and his family say are false. The U.S. government regards both as wrongfully detained, placing their cases with the office of its top hostage negotiator.
The separate meetings are to be the first in-person encounter between Biden and the families and are taking place amid sustained, but so far unsuccessful efforts by the administration to secure the Americans’ release. The administration said in July that it had made a “substantial proposal” to get them home, but despite plans for the White House meetings, there is no sign that a breakthrough is imminent.
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