WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement commending the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to bring Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza home from Russia. Congresswoman Dean also renewed her call for Pennsylvanian Marc Fogel to be released. Fogel is serving a 14-year sentence for possession of medical marijuana used to treat a severe back injury.
“As we learn of and celebrate the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, I am encouraged and relieved.
“I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for months of relentless work to bring these wrongfully detained Americans home. The United States continues to be a crucial defender of democracy, and the power of American diplomacy has ensured the release of innocent people from an authoritarian government.
“I also renew my call to do the same for Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel — unjustly detained in Russia since August 2021. We must continue pursuing diplomatic avenues — and working persistently to ensure Mr. Fogel can return home to his family.”
In a December 2023 letter, alongside her Pennsylvania colleagues, Congresswoman Dean called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to include Marc Fogel in any potential prisoner swap along with Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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