The circle of relatives of Marc Fogel, a US citizen detained in Russia, is disappointed that the Biden leadership did not accompany him in the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, his wife told Newsweek.
The U. S. State Department said Thursday that Russia had secured eight spies and agents, adding political assassin Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted in Germany of a 2019 murder in Berlin. Putin had described him in the past in an interview as a “patriot”. that he had “liquidated a bandit” in “one of the European capitals”.
In exchange, Putin released 16 people, including Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old U. S. citizen arrested in Russia in March 2023, and U. S. citizen Paul Whelan, a former maritime and cybersecurity official who has been in Russia since 2018.
In addition to Whelan and Gershkovich, Russia holds political prisoners Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alsu Kurmasheva, Andrei Pivovarov, Oleg Orlov, Sasha Skochilenko, Lilia Chanysheva, Ksenia Fadeyeva, Rico Krieger, Kevin Lik, Demuri Voronin, Vadim Ostanin, Patrick Schoebel and the German Moyzhes.
In return, Russia won Krasikov, Russian intelligence officials Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, army intelligence agents Mikhail Mikushin and Pavel Rubtsov, hacker Roman Seleznev, businessman Vladislav Klyushin, and Vadim Konoshchenok. The latter referred to himself as an “FSB colonel” in the documents reviewed. through the Russian investigation The Insider. The FSB, or Federal Security Service, is Russia’s internal security and counterintelligence service.
In August 2021, Fogel was arrested for possession of marijuana and sentenced to 14 years in criminal prison in Russia. According to the Washington Post, the Pittsburgh native taught at the Anglo-American School in Moscow for 27 years and was scheduled to retire, but he stayed on for another year and was eventually arrested.
“We’re devastated and we know Marc has definitely been left behind,” Jane Fogel, Marc’s spouse of 27 years, told Newsweek on Thursday. “He has not committed a crime worthy of the punishment he faces, and other people are being released. “for committing terrible things. He’s an American who’s been there for 3 years and deserves to have been a part of that trade. “
The family, which includes sons Ethan, 27, and Sam, 25, was informed Thursday through Biden’s management that Marc would be released.
When asked what she would say to President Joe Biden, Jane Fogel said, “We all voted for him. We are very disappointed with the lack of communication we have had with management and are devastated that Marc is a part of it. in return. “
A circle of relatives revealed to the media said Marc was a former history teacher from western Pennsylvania who “has been wrongfully detained in Russia for more than three years on the same charges for which Brittney Griner was detained. “
“While Brittney was traded less than a year after her arrest for one of the world’s most infamous Russian arms dealers, Marc was left behind,” he said.
When asked about Fogel at a news conference Thursday, US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel did not explain why he was not part of the deal.
“Our message is simple: Even though today is a good day, our painting doesn’t stop,” Patel said.
He said Biden’s leadership has called for Fogel’s release and will continue to work with Moscow to make it a reality.
Statements from Biden, his leadership and others were released on behalf of the freed hostages.
Biden traded a “diplomatic feat” that freed “political prisoners” who had been wrongfully detained for years.
“Everyone has endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty,” he said, thanking his allies, including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Turkey. “Today his agony is over. It is a stark example of why it is important to have friends in this world that we can accept as faithful and on whom we can depend. Our partnerships make Americans safer. “
He continued: “And let me be clear: I will stop running until all Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world are reunited with their families. My leadership has repatriated more than 70 of those Americans, many of whom were in captivity since before I took office, however, too many families are suffering and being separated from their loved ones, and my priority as president is to bring those Americans home.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked the Turkish government for offering a position for the return of those released to the United States and Germany.
“In many difficult conversations over the last few years, I have told the families of those wrongfully detained in Russia that we will not do so,” Blinken said. “I know that many times over the years they wondered if our paintings would ever bear fruit. But I also know that they never lost hope, and neither do we. “
Newsweek reached out to the State Department and White House email for additional comment.
David Whelan, who for years was his brother’s spokesman, pressured him to keep his brother “a Russian hostage” for 2,043 days. He thanked the government and the media for writing about Paul and championing his cause. He added that he now needs his family to have privacy.
“This is now the story Paul needs to tell, and I am sure that, over time, he will communicate how he needs to tell it,” David wrote in a statement. “It is important that he once again be able to take action on his life, anything that the Kremlin has taken from him for so many years. I do not constitute it.
“My job as a spokesperson for our family is complete. Just like on December 27, 2018, our family no longer needs a spokesperson. Our goal has been fulfilled and our role in this story is over. “Array stated.
“We are relieved and excited for Evan and his family, as well as others who have been released,” Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of the Wall Street Journal, and Emma Tucker, editor of the Wall Street Journal, told Newsweek. . declaration.
“At the same time, we condemn in the strongest terms Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia, which orchestrated Evan’s unjust imprisonment for 491 days with sham fees and a mock trial as a component of an all-out attack on press freedom and truth. Unfortunately, in Russia and around the world, many journalists are unjustly imprisoned. “
Latour and Tucker also thanked the United States government; many foreign governments, Germany; and global media organizations in solidarity with Gershkovich.
“We reserve special popularity and appreciation for Evan’s mother, Ella, his father, Mikhail, as well as his sister, Danielle, and spouse Anthony, who have been unwavering companions in this unthinkable ordeal,” they said. “Her unwavering strength, her positivity and determination will continue to motivate us. “
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek reporter in Michigan. He focuses on reporting on Ukraine and Russia, as well as social and political issues. Nick joined Newsweek in 2021 from The Oakland Press and has been reported in The Detroit News and other publications. Reporting on the opioid epidemic earned him a state award from the Michigan Press Association. He is a graduate of Michigan State University. You can contact Nick by emailing n. mordowanec@newsweek. com. English language.
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