Russia releases American teacher Mark Fogel from Prison – Public Radio in South Carolina

The Trump administration says it has made a deal to get US Mark Fogel from Prison in Russia. Fogel was a teacher in Russia and was arrested in August 2021 after customs agents found medical marijuana in their luggage.

National Security Advisor Mike Walz said in a statement on Tuesday that Fogel had been released in what he called a “exchange” with Russia and was returning to the United States.

Trump’s Middle East Middle East Steve Vikof flew to Russia to bring Vogel home.

Fogel was transferred during previous prisoners’ swaps with Russia. It was not until last year that the State Department decided that he was “unfairly detained” – a designation that gave more urgency to his case. There were no immediate details about what the US gave to Russia to ensure the release of Fogel.

Wals called the release of a fogel a sign of good faith from Moscow – and, without explaining it, it linked it to the diplomacy of Ukraine, calling the transaction “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.”

The Fogel family released a statement that thanked President Trump for securing his release, saying: “We are beyond grateful, relieved and overcome that after more than three years of detention, our father, husband and son Mark Fogel is finally coming home.” S

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