Maphine Fogel, whose son has been in a Russian prison for three years, said it was “gut-wrenching” to see that her son was not included in Thursday’s prisoner exchange, to say nothing of not receiving a call from the Biden administration
“The exchange yesterday was really gut wrenching,” Fogel told The Daily Wire. “When there were that many prisoners being exchanged, I thought he would surely be one of them… It’s just not a good feeling at all.”
The 95-year old is advocating for her son to receive “wrongfully detained” status, which would empower the United States government to provide financial support for Marc’s medical care and other needs.
On Thursday, Russia released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, in what is being called the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War. Gershkovich spent over a year in Russian prison on trumped-up espionage charges. Whelan had been detained in Russia for six years.
Marc Fogel was given a 14-year-prison sentence for possessing medical marijuana, for which he had a prescription from an American doctor.
While the Biden-Harris Administration strongly advocated for the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner—who was imprisoned for the same crime—Fogel said she has heard nothing from the White House
Maphine worries the White House is ignoring her son because he is not as famous as other prisoners.
“I have not heard anything from President Biden or even anybody in the State Department,” she said. “Brittney Griner, I can see why they would want to get her out, but I think they’re ignoring the ordinary people who are also being held.”
Fogel said her son’s release is paramount because he has had three spinal operations and is in poor health.
While Fogel has never heard from President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, she has met with former President Donald Trump, who told her he’d do everything he can to free her son if he wins the election.
“He wanted to know all about Mark,” Fogel said. “I gave him all the details, and he said, ‘if I get in, I will get him out’ and he pointed his thumb up towards the sky and he seemed very sincere.”
Fogel added that she told Trump to remember her son’s name.
“He repeated it, and I think he would know it today,” Fogel said.
Fogel was scheduled to take to the stage with Trump after meeting with him before the Butler, Pennsylvania rally when a would-be assassin fired at Trump. Fogel, who was about 25 feet away from Trump when the shots rang out, was immediately assisted by Republican lawmakers in attendance who helped her shelter and then flee.
Fogel said she wants people to know that while others were released, her son is still imprisoned and his situation is becoming dire.“He’s losing hope, and so are all of us, his family.”
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