US English teacher sentenced to 14 years in Russia for pot smuggling

Former US embassy diplomat Marc Fogel was recently sentenced to 14 years in prison for cannabis trafficking. In addition to his tenure at the US Embassy, ​​Fogel taught English at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, Russia. On August 15, 2021, he was caught in possession of 17 grams (or 0.6 ounces) of cannabis in his luggage at Sheremetyevo International Airport. He enjoyed diplomatic immunity until May 2021.

According to a recent ruling by a Moscow court, “American citizen Fogel was found guilty” of “large-scale drug smuggling, large-scale illegal storage of drugs without commercial purpose.”

Fogel said a doctor in the US recommended medicinal cannabis to treat pain following spinal surgery. “He insists it was medical marijuana and claims a doctor prescribed it for him in the United States, which is allegedly corroborated by a medical record entry,” said Alexander Khurudzhi, a member of the Moscow Human Rights Committee. Additionally, Fogel argued he was unaware that medical cannabis was illegal.

A Russian news agency known as Interfax reported that Fogel had pleaded guilty to these charges: “On June 16, 2022, the Khimki City Court in Moscow region found US citizen Marc Fogel of committing crimes under Part 3 of Article 229.1 (drug smuggling) for guilty. , Part 2 of Article 228 (illegal acquisition, possession, transportation, manufacture and processing of narcotics) of the Russian Criminal Code and sentenced him to 14 years in prison, to be served in a maximum-security penal colony,” wrote Interfax.

This ruling comes in the same jurisdiction discussing the incarceration of WNBA athlete Brittney Griner, who was arrested in February for possession of vape cartridges. Finally, Lebron James called for support. “We must come together and do whatever we can to get BG home quickly and safely!! Our voice as athletes is stronger together,” James said on Twitter in partnership with a support campaign called “We Are BG” by Uninterrupted.

“For over 100 days, BG has been subjected to inhumane conditions in a Russian prison and has been denied communication with her family and loved ones,” Uninterrupted wrote, sharing it on social media. “As a decorated Olympian and a member of an elite global sports community, BG’s imprisonment must be resolved out of respect for the sanctity of all sports and all Americans who travel internationally. It is imperative that the US government address this human rights issue immediately and do whatever is necessary to bring Brittney home.”

According to TMZ, famed boxer Roy Jones Jr. (who holds dual US and Russian citizenship) is currently helping to free Griner. However, recent reporting reports that Griner’s detention will last at least until July 7th.

In Russia, both adult and medicinal cannabis use is illegal. This isn’t the first time cannabis has brought foreign visitors to Russia into hot water. In 2019, a 26-year-old woman traveling from India to Israel was found in possession of nine grams of cannabis, for which she was jailed for over seven months on drug trafficking charges (although she was pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin). January 2020). Similarly, a 19-year-old film student traveled to Russia with 19 grams of medicinal cannabis, spent a month in prison and left the country fined 15,000 rubles ($230).

In Griner’s case, US Cannabis Council CEO Steven Hawkins told AZcentral.com that possession of cannabis is often used to convict targeted individuals. “In this case, the Russian authorities appear to be using alleged cannabis possession as a pretext to detain a prominent American as a bargaining chip. Brittney Griner must not be used as a pawn by Russia. We urge the US government to use all available channels to ensure their early return home.”