Russia releases American teacher from detention after talks with Trump officials

[mystery-ak]

American Marc Fogel released from Russian custody
Fogel was arrested in August 2021 at a Russian airport
 By Greg Norman Fox News
Published February 11, 2025 1:32pm EST | Updated February 11, 2025 1:46pm EST

An American teacher who was detained by Russia is heading back to American soil, the Trump administration announced 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," National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement.

"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," Waltz added.

Marc Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was serving a 14-year prison sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for being in possession of drugs, which his family and supporters said were medically prescribed marijuana.

Fogel, 63, was designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. In the nine years leading up to his arrest, he was teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow.

Fogel's relatives told the Associated Press they were "beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed" that he was coming home.

"This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal," they said. "For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope."

Waltz also said in his statement that "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," Waltz added.

more
https://www.foxnews.com/world/american-marc-fogel-released-from-russian-custody

[mountaineer]

See also https://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,538397.0.html
  (I piggybacked onto existing thread, sorry!)

[mystery-ak]

[mountaineer]

So grateful his 95 year old mom will be able to see him. She was with Trump in Butler, Pa., in July, just before he was shot, and he kept his promise to bring Marc home.

[mystery-ak]

So grateful his 95 year old mom will be able to see him. She was with Trump in Butler, Pa., in July, just before he was shot, and he kept his promise to bring Marc home.

I was listening to it too..so happy for her...

[Sighlass]

Sorry, the Russians have it right, make it hurt and the laws mean something to others. We wouldn't have streets full of folks pooping on sidewalks if we had tougher drug laws....

[berdie]

I can't help but wonder what the cost of this trade was.

[mystery-ak]

Freed American’s mom thanks Trump: ‘He kept his promise’ after son’s release from Russia

[mystery-ak]

Fox covering this live..he's on the way to the WH to meet with Trump

Guest just said there was no quid pro quo....?

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/1889519063702835313

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/SeanParnellUSA/status/1889407718353674417

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1889518756793102698

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1889522595709468700

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1889526448945307901

[mystery-ak]

US releasing Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik in Marc Fogel exchange, official says
Russian prisoner is returning to Russia ‘in the coming days,’ according to Kremlin spokesperson
 By Greg Norman Fox News
Published February 12, 2025 11:00am EST

The United States is releasing Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik as part of the deal to secure Marc Fogel's freedom, a Trump administration official told Fox News on Wednesday.

Fogel, an American teacher who had been detained in Russia since 2021, was freed on Tuesday. A plane carrying him landed in the U.S. late last night.

Vinnik was arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges. He was later extradited to the United States where he pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said the Russian prisoner’s name would be revealed when he returns home.

"Recently, work has been intensified through the relevant agencies, there have been contacts," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters, according to the Associated Press. "And these contacts have led to the release of Fogel, as well as one of the citizens of the Russian Federation, who is currently being held in custody in the United States. This citizen of the Russian Federation will also be returned to Russia in the coming days."

The State Department did not immediately respond Wednesday morning to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was serving a 14-year prison sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for being in possession of drugs, which his family and supporters said were medically prescribed marijuana.

Anne Fogel, his sister, told "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday that she is "so happy to have this massive boulder" lifted off her shoulders with her brother’s release.

"I am so incredibly grateful to the president," she added. "Just amazing."

Fogel said her brother's situation has "taken a toll" on her family but they "can’t even believe that he is safe and at home and can get medical attention."

more
https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-releasing-russian-prisoner-marc-fogel-exchange-kremlin-says

[mountaineer]

His hometown's premier bakery responds:

Oakmont Bakery makes it happen for “home town boy” Marc Fogel!  ALL proceeds will go to Fogel family!

https://twitter.com/MartyGriffinKD/status/1889684651083440629