American Marc Fogel, who has been held in Russia since being arrested on drug prices in 2021, was freed on Tuesday, in accordance with the White Home.
Fogel, 63, is an American trainer who was serving a 14-year sentence at a Russian jail colony. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken deemed him “wrongfully detained” in October 2024, the State Division confirmed to ABC Information.
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an alternate that serves as a present of excellent religion from the Russians and an indication we’re shifting in the appropriate course to finish the brutal and horrible battle in Ukraine,” White Home nationwide safety adviser Mike Waltz stated in a press release on Tuesday afternoon.
A White Home official confirmed with ABC Information that Fogel landed on United States soil at roughly 9:30 p.m. and was on his strategy to the White Home.
Marc Fogel (L) is proven touring again to the U.S., on Feb. 11, 2025.
Anne Fogel
Trump informed reporters within the Oval Workplace on Tuesday afternoon that Fogel could be on the White Home round 10 p.m.
When requested if the U.S. gave something in return, Trump responded, “Not a lot, no. They have been very good. We have been handled very properly by Russia, really.”
He additionally reiterated the necessity to finish the Russia-Ukraine battle, saying, “I hope that is the start of a relationship the place we will finish that battle and, hundreds of thousands of individuals can cease being killed.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a press release 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 residence.”
On this July 15, 2023, file photograph, Lisa Hyland, left, and different relations rally outdoors the White Home in Washington, D.C., for the discharge of Marc Fogel, who has been detained in Russia since August 2021.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP, FILE
Dmitry Ovsyannikov, Fogel’s lawyer, confirmed to ABC Information that Fogel was freed and had left Russia earlier within the day on Tuesday. He managed to name the household shortly earlier than leaving Russia, his lawyer stated.
Fogel was transferred from the jail colony the place he was being held and transported to 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.
Marc Fogel is proven on the finish of his trial on the Russian Courtroom in Moscow in 2022.
Irina Pigman
Fogel was a trainer on the Anglo-American College in Moscow, the place many diplomats from the U.S. Embassy ship their kids.
The daddy of two was arrested in August 2021 when he landed at a Moscow airport. He was accused of making an attempt to herald 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.
On this July 15, 2023, file photograph, a drawn portrait of Marc Fogel, who has been detained in Russia since August 2021, hangs on rails outdoors of the White Home throughout an illustration organized by his household, in Washington, D.C.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP, FILE
What Fogel informed mom in first cellphone name
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 12 months.
Fogel’s mom, Malphine Fogel, informed ABC Information Reside that her son referred to as her unexpectedly from the Moscow airport as he was ready for his aircraft 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 particular person. And till we do, I suppose it is not going to be actual.”
She stated he was in good spirits and “could not have been happier” to be coming residence.
“We saved hoping, nevertheless it appeared to get additional and additional away. And we simply we prayed so much,” 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 fulfill in Pittsburgh after he receives post-isolation help in San Antonio, Texas.
“He is so able to be residence,” she stated, calling her brother “resilient.”
On this undated file photograph launched by his sister, Marc Fogel is proven.
Anne Fogel
Elected officers in Pennsylvania celebrated Fogel’s launch.
“After greater than 3 years in Russian captivity, I be a part of his household, our federal companions, and all of his fellow Pennsylvanians in welcoming Marc Fogel residence — precisely the place he belongs,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a publish on X whereas thanking the White Home “who made his launch doable.”
Sen. John Fetterman recommended Trump and Witkoff for his or her “efforts in lastly bringing Marc residence.” 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 pieces doable to get Marc residence and it’s a blessing that this present day has lastly come,” McCormick stated.
ABC Information’ Tanya Stukalova contributed to this report.