When former Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel was arrested three years ago in Russia, the government there said it was because the longtime teacher at the Anglo-American School of Moscow possessed less than an ounce of medical marijuana.
But on Saturday, former Ambassador Eric Rubin, who previously served as deputy chief of mission to Russia from 2008 to 2011, said he does not believe that’s the case.
Instead, Rubin, who is now retired, said Fogel was taken hostage by the Russian government for political reasons. He believes it was an effort directed by the Russian government at the highest levels.
“It’s a huge prize,” he said. “There is no doubt this was a setup. This was a directed and intentional, focused, hostage-taking effort.”
Rubin spoke on Saturday at Hostage Diplomacy: Marc Fogel, an event at the University of Pittsburgh’s Frick Fine Arts Building.
Featuring an exhibit of artwork from the Make a Marc event last spring, as well as a panel discussion, it included a screening of the short documentary, “Did You Forget Mr. Fogel?”
The event, organizers hope, is a way to continue to pressure the American government to bring Fogel home.
Now retired, Rubin serves as president of the American Foreign Service Association. During his remarks, he said he believes Fogel will be released soon.
“The most important thing we can say here today is ‘Free Marc Fogel.’ ”
- Paula Reed Ward