Sister of Marc Fogel, American held in Russia, questions why Biden admin is 'dragging its feet'

Sister of Marc Fogel, American held in Russia, questions why Biden admin is 'dragging its feet'
The State Department is negotiating a prisoner swap for Americans Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, who are also being held in Russia

Pennsylvania native Marc Fogel, who was arrested in Russia with medical marijuana last year and sentenced to 14 years in prison, had his appeal rejected by a Russian court on Friday, his attorney and sister told Fox News Digital.

Fogel's family is now pushing for the State Department to classify him as "wrongfully detained," a designation that would commit more U.S. resources to securing his release and bring his case under the purview of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

"We need to have him declared 'wrongfully detained' ASAP," Fogel's sister, Lisa Hyland, told Fox News. "We don’t understand why the Administration is dragging its feet in designating Marc as 'wrongfully detained.'"