Marc Fogel, American detained in Russia, freed after visit by Trump envoy
Washington – The White House announced on Tuesday that negotiations have been released Marc FogelAmerican school teachers have been held in Russia since 2021.
Michael Waltz, White House National Security Advisor Designated as “error detention” In the second half of last year, the United States. Walz said he will be in the U.S. on Tuesday night.
“President Trump, Steve Vikov, negotiated a exchange with the president’s adviser, and it was a sincere exchange between the Russians and we are moving in the right direction to end Ukraine,” he said in a statement. The cruel and terrible war.” “Since President Trump was sworn in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans in detention return to the United States.”
The White House did not provide details about the U.S. abandonment in its deal with Russia. Mr. Trump told reporters he would say hello at the White House on Tuesday night.
Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s special envoy to hostages, posted a photo of Fogel on the plane:
Fogel, a history teacher in Pennsylvania, was arrested by Russian authorities at Moscow airport in 2021.
His family urged Trump’s former former President Joe Biden to ensure his release, especially outside of Fogel’s prison swap negotiated by the former administration. In December 2022, Russia was in a One-to-one prisoner exchange For international weapons dealers Victor round.
Then, last August, the Biden administration Ensure release Three Americans from Russia – Wall Street Journal reporter Evan GershkovichNavy veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American Broadcasting Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva – As part of the 24-person exchange.
In addition to Fogel, the agreement omits several other Americans imprisoned in Russia, including musicians Michael Travis LeakeU.S. Army personnel sergeant Gordon Black and Russian-American ballerina Xenia Karelina.
In a statement, Fogel’s family thanked Mr. Trump and other allies who fought for their release.
“We are grateful, relieved and overwhelmed, and after more than three years of detention, our father, husband and son, Marc Fogel, finally came home,” they said. “Thanks to President Trump.” With firm leadership, Mark will soon return to the land of America, the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we are beginning to recover.”
Fogel’s legal team Martin de Luca and Andrew Smith also praised the president and his administration for their work in freeing him.
“Marc Fogel’s release is historic, long overdue, and proves strong leadership,” they said. “After years of bureaucratic inaction, including consistent refusal to designate Mark as The wrong detention, President Trump was released by Mark in just a few weeks, and did not hesitate to waste time taking decisive action to bring Mark home.”
Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick cheered Fogel’s release.
“Marc Fogel’s return home is long overdue – I know Pennsylvania, especially his family, will welcome him with open arms,” Democrat Fetterman, “ Write On X.
“I’m so glad that Marc Fogel Say in the post. “I have been working with the administration since day one and I thank President Trump and Secretary Rubio for fulfilling their commitment to Liberty Mark. As I told Mark’s mom, Mafa, we had to speak in August. When we have to do everything we can to get Mark home, this is a blessing that we finally come today.”
Fogel’s mother Malphine Fogel has Criticize Biden and his government delays the appointment of his son as Being detained incorrectly. The Secretary of State’s decision has jointly developed a plan for the State Department office and federal agencies to ensure the release of detainees.
she File a lawsuit The case was rejected in June last year, but the case was rejected. Malphine Fogel intends to attract more public attention to his son’s detention At the July 13 rally With Mr. Trump of Butler, Pennsylvania The gunman fires On the crowd. The president and two others were injured and a man was killed in an assassination attempt.
“I’m going to come on stage with him and he’s going to mention (Mark’s name)” Malphine Fogel told CBS News Pittsburgh last July. “We’re going to put it into practice and let the whole world hear it. Well, that didn’t happen , because we didn’t come on stage.”
She met with Mr. Trump before the rally and said he promised to ensure the release of Marc Fogel if elected to the second term.
