With an American flag draped over his shoulders, Marc Fogel, the American instructor free of a Russian jail, arrived on the White Home on Tuesday night time and was welcomed by President Donald Trump.
Fogel, 63, had been serving a 14-year jail sentence in a Russian jail colony after being arrested in 2021 on drug prices.
“I’m not a hero,” Fogel stated, addressing reporters from the White Home. “President Donald Trump is a hero.”
At instances overcome with emotion, Fogel thanked his household — together with his 95-year-old mom, who pleaded his case to Trump at a marketing campaign rally final yr.
He additionally thanked Steve Witkoff, Trump’s particular Center East envoy, who performed a key position in negotiating Fogel’s launch.
President Donald Trump and launched American schoolteacher Marc Fogel react throughout an occasion to welcome again Fogel, who had been held in Russia since 2021, on the White Home in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Fogel spent three and a half years in jail earlier than his launch. He declined to explain his ordeal in specifics, saying day-after-day was a problem however that he wanted time to speak about it. He stated he had obtained over 400 injections whereas imprisoned, however did not say for what or present additional particulars.
Trump didn’t talk about the negotiations that led to Fogel’s launch or describe any conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I can solely say this: We received a person residence whose mom and household wished him desperately,” Trump stated.
He later added that he thought Fogel’s return might advance negotiations to finish the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“I need to get the conflict ended,” Trump stated.
Earlier within the day, the president was requested if Russia had given america 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, truly.”
Adam Boehler, presidential envoy for hostage affairs, signaled that there can be an ongoing dialog between the U.S. and Russia.
“You will not see an alternate,” Boehler stated in an interview with CNN. “I believe you will notice the president give consideration — if there are some nonviolent folks, the place perhaps there is not any points come what may, however you’ll not see a one-for-one factor occurring on the similar time.”
American instructor Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since 2021, lands again on U.S. soil on Feb. 11, 2025.
Supplied by the White Home
“Marc’s launch can also be a reminder that different Americans are nonetheless detained in Russia. President Trump is dedicated to bringing all of them residence,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an announcement.
Boehler instructed CNN on Tuesday night time that “we’ve got one other American coming in tomorrow.”
He wouldn’t touch upon the place the person was be launched from, solely saying: “Effectively, that’s going to be a shock for tomorrow.”
After Fogel arrived to the White Home, Trump confirmed that one other launch would happen on Wednesday, however didn’t present any additional particulars.
Marc Fogel is proven on the finish of his trial on the Russian Court docket in Moscow in 2022.
Irina Pigman
About Fogel’s arrest in 2021
Fogel was a instructor on the Anglo-American Faculty 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.
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.
The U.S. tried however was unable to incorporate Fogel within the large prisoner swap in August 2024 that freed Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, a State Division spokesperson stated final yr.
On this July 15, 2023, file picture, 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 instructed mom in first telephone name
Fogel managed to name his household shortly earlier than leaving Russia, his lawyer stated.
His mom, Malphine Fogel, instructed ABC Information Stay 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 stored hoping, nevertheless it appeared to get additional and additional away. And we simply we prayed loads,” she stated. “My whole household prayed his means 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.”
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.”
On this undated file picture launched by his sister, Marc Fogel is proven.
Anne Fogel
Pennsylvania officers have a good time
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 residence — precisely the place he belongs,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a submit on X whereas thanking the White Home “who made his launch attainable.”
Sen. John Fetterman counseled Trump and Witkoff for his or her “efforts in lastly bringing Marc residence.”
On this July 15, 2023, file picture, 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
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 instructed Marc’s Mother, Mafa, after we spoke in August, we needed to do every little thing attainable to get Marc residence and it’s a blessing that at the present time has lastly come,” McCormick stated.
ABC Information’ Tanya Stukalova contributed to this report.
