Marc Fogel, an American teacher and beloved father, husband and friend, was recently sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in a Russian prison. This excessive and inhumane ruling is an effort to use him for political leverage and amounts to a death sentence for Marc, who is 61 years old and in delicate health already.

Marc taught for nearly a decade in the Anglo-American school in Moscow. He was detained at the airport upon returning for the school year when his luggage was found to contain medical marijuana, which was recommended by a doctor to treat severe chronic pain from his history of spinal surgeries.

Since his detainment in August of 2021, we have not been permitted to see or speak to Marc and can only communicate through letters that are monitored. But we know he is retaining his will only by the hope that we, his family, will find a way to bring him home.

Marc is a harmless and exceptionally kind man whose signature quality is the ability to bring levity to any situation. He has a contagious zeal for life and a passion for learning about the cultures of the world. He was adored by his students as a result. We miss him every day and are terrified for his well-being. He made one mistake and does not deserve to pay with his life.

The Biden administration is reportedly pursuing a prisoner swap in the case of Brittney Griner, who was detained for similar offenses, but this deal does not appear to include Marc. We have extreme empathy for Ms. Griner and vehemently support her release. But we are asking you not to forget about Marc and the other Americans whom, though less famous, suffer equal mental, emotional and physical harm and whose families are equally burdened by stress and loss due to their wrongful imprisonment under the Putin regime. Please sign this petition to implore the Biden administration to designate Marc Fogel as a wrongfully detained prisoner and pursue his release in a prisoner exchange.

NOTE: we are not asking for donations, that request is coming directly from change.org and goes to them.