WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania native and teacher who has been imprisoned in Russia since August 2021, has been released, the White House said Tuesday.
“Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,” according to a statement from National Security Advisor Mike Waltz just after 1 p.m. Eastern.
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine,” the statement continued. “Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.”
No further details were provided.
Fogel’s family could not be immediately reached for comment.
Fogel, 62, was most recently imprisoned in Rybinsk, about six hours north of Moscow.
The international baccalaureate history teacher with over three decades of academic experience throughout the world was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in August 2021.
He was accused by Russian authorities of having marijuana in contact lens cases and cannabis oil e-cigarette cartridges in his luggage.
He was convicted in June 2022 and subsequently sentenced for “large-scale drug smuggling,” according to international news media reports quoting a Russian interior ministry statement.
