American Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since he was arrested on drug fees in 2021, was freed on Tuesday, in keeping with the White Home.
Fogel, 63, was serving a 14-year sentence at a Russian jail colony. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the American instructor had been “wrongfully detained” in October 2024, the State Division confirmed to ABC Information.
A White Home official confirmed with ABC Information that Fogel landed on United States soil at roughly 9:30 p.m. and arrived on the White Home shortly after 10 p.m.
Trump greeted Fogel and welcomed him again to the USA.
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an alternate that serves as a present of fine religion from the Russians and an indication we’re transferring in the fitting path to finish the brutal and horrible warfare in Ukraine,” White Home nationwide safety adviser Mike Waltz stated in an announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
Trump was requested on Tuesday afternoon if Russia gave the USA something in return for Fogel’s launch, and he responded, “Not a lot, no. They had been very good. We had been handled very properly by Russia, really.”
A drawn portrait of Marc Fogel hangs on rails outdoors of the White Home throughout an illustration organized by his household, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Washington.
AP Photograph/Stephanie Scarbrough
The president additionally reiterated the necessity to finish the Russia-Ukraine warfare, saying, “I hope that is the start of a relationship the place we are able to finish that warfare and, tens of millions of individuals can cease being killed.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an announcement on Tuesday, “Marc’s launch can be a reminder that different Americans are nonetheless detained in Russia. President Trump is dedicated to bringing all of them dwelling.”
Dmitry Ovsyannikov, Fogel’s lawyer, confirmed to ABC Information that Fogel was freed and had left Russia early Tuesday.
Fogel was transferred from the jail colony the place he was being held and arrived in Moscow final week, his lawyer stated.
His protection crew was not knowledgeable by the safety forces about his alternate and doesn’t know who he was exchanged for, Ovsyannikov stated.
Adam Boehler, presidential envoy for hostage affairs, would not point out what the USA gave in alternate for Fogel whereas talking with CNN on Tuesday evening, however he did sign that there will probably be an ongoing dialog between the U.S. and Russia.
“You will not see an alternate,” he stated. “I feel you will note the president give consideration — if there are some nonviolent individuals, the place possibly there isn’t any points in some way, however you’ll not see a one-for-one factor occurring on the similar time.”
Fogel was a instructor on the Anglo-American College in Moscow, the place many diplomats from the U.S. Embassy ship their youngsters.
The daddy of two was arrested in August 2021 when he landed at a Moscow airport. He was accused of making an attempt to usher in 11 grams of marijuana, and eight grams of hash oil was reportedly present in his baggage.
The Pennsylvania native was sentenced to 14 years on a drug smuggling cost that his household has stated was trumped up, and the U.S. had referred to as for his humanitarian launch.
The U.S. tried however was unable to incorporate Fogel within the giant prisoner swap in August 2024 that freed Wall Road Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, a State Division spokesperson stated final yr.
What Fogel informed mom in first telephone name
Fogel managed to name his household shortly earlier than leaving Russia, his lawyer stated.
His mom, Malphine Fogel, informed ABC Information Stay that her son referred to as her unexpectedly from the Moscow airport as he was ready for his airplane to D.C., calling it a “stunning shocker.”
“It is unreal nonetheless. We have been ready for this time for a very long time,” she stated. “And when the information came to visit, it was unbelievable. We simply cannot wait to see Marc in individual. And till we do, I assume it isn’t going to be actual.”
She stated he was in good spirits and “could not have been happier” to be coming dwelling.
“We stored hoping, however it appeared to get additional and additional away. And we simply we prayed rather a lot,” she stated. “My whole household prayed his approach out of there anyway. We simply could not be extra grateful.”
His sister, Anne Fogel, stated they plan to satisfy in Pittsburgh after he receives post-isolation assist in San Antonio, Texas.
“He is so able to be dwelling,” she stated, calling her brother “resilient.”
Whereas awaiting Fogel’s arrival at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday night, Rubio gave an interview with CNN during which mentioned Fogel’s present well being standing, saying, “Clearly, he is been in jail for 3 years. That is by no means good for anybody. However he appears to be in good well being.”
Elected officers in Pennsylvania celebrated Fogel’s launch.
“After greater than 3 years in Russian captivity, I be part of his household, our federal companions, and all of his fellow Pennsylvanians in welcoming Marc Fogel dwelling — precisely the place he belongs,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a publish on X whereas thanking the White Home “who made his launch potential.”
Sen. John Fetterman counseled Trump and Witkoff for his or her “efforts in lastly bringing Marc dwelling.” Sen. Dave McCormick stated he has been working with the administration on this “since day one” and stated he was grateful to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “for delivering on their dedication to free Marc.”
“As I informed Marc’s Mother, Mafa, once we spoke in August, we needed to do all the things potential to get Marc dwelling and it’s a blessing that this present day has lastly come,” McCormick stated.
ABC Information’ Tanya Stukalova contributed to this report.
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