The U.S. and Russia on Thursday completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history, a deal involving 24 people, many months of negotiations and concessions from other European countries who released Russians in their custody as part of the exchange.
But not all Americans came home. Some still are being held in Russia.
That group includes Marc Fogel, 62, a history teacher from Oakmont who taught diplomats’ children at the Anglo-American School in Moscow. He was arrested was arrested Aug. 14, 2021, when he was found in possession of 17 grams of medical marijuana. The marijuana was legally dispensed to him in Pennsylvania for decades of well-documented back, knee, hip and shoulder pain.
Fogel has been hospitalized at least four times during his incarceration.
In a statement after the deal was announced, Fogel’s family said it was “inconceivable” that he had not been included and urged the Biden administration to prioritize his release.
Among the other Americans who remain in Russia are:
Travis Leake, a musician convicted on drug charges and sentenced to prison; Gordon Black, an American soldier convicted of stealing and making threats of murder; and Ksenia Khavana, who was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February on treason charges, accused of collecting money for Ukraine’s military.
Khavana had returned to Russia to visit family. The owner of the spa in California where Khavana had been working previously told The Associated Press that Khavana actually was collecting funds for humanitarian aid.
A senior administration official, who briefed reporters before the swap on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said the administration would be redoubling its efforts to get remaining Americans home.
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