An American teacher who was arrested in Russia in 2021 after he was found with 0.6 ounces of medical marijuana, and ultimately sentenced to 14 years in a penal colony, has been freed.
"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," said National Security Advisor Mike Waltz 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." The details of the exchange were not immediately clear.
Real time photo of Marc@Fogel@coming home. @realDonaldTrump @SteveWitkoff @StateSPEHA pic.twitter.com/FIAm8fwZtL
— Adam Boehler (@aboehler) February 11, 2025