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Marc Fogel Released: A Long-Awaited Homecoming

After more than three years of detention in Russia, American teacher Marc Fogel has finally been released and is on his way back to the United States. The Trump administration announced the breakthrough on February 11, 2025, crediting the efforts of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who personally traveled to Moscow to secure Fogel’s freedom. This development marks a significant diplomatic achievement and a moment of relief for Fogel’s family, who had tirelessly advocated for his release.

The Journey to Freedom: Marc Fogel ’s Detention and Release

Marc Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was arrested in August 2021 at a Moscow airport. After Russian authorities found 17 grams of medical marijuana in his luggage. Fogel, who had been teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow. Said the cannabis was prescribed to treat chronic back pain. Despite his explanation, he was convicted of drug smuggling and sentenced to 14 years in a Russian labor camp in June 2022.

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For years, Fogel’s case languished. With the Biden administration only designating him as “wrongfully detained” in December 2024. His release came after President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, negotiated an undisclosed “exchange” with Russian authorities. Witkoff personally escorted Fogel out of Russia on his private jet. Ensuring his safe return to U.S. soil.

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The Role of Steve Witkoff and Diplomatic Efforts

Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate executive and close ally of President Trump, played a pivotal role in securing Marc Fogel’s release. His mission to Moscow marked the first high-level U.S. visit to Russia since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. While the specifics of the exchange remain undisclosed, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz described the deal as a “show of good faith” that could advance efforts to end the Ukraine conflict.

Fogel’s family expressed immense gratitude to Witkoff and President Trump. With his mother, Malphine Fogel, stating, “He made a promise and he kept it. I give him all the credit in the world”.

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A Family’s Relief and the Road Ahead

For Marc Fogel’s family, his release marks the end of a harrowing chapter. In a heartfelt statement, they shared, “We are beyond grateful, relieved, and overwhelmed that after more than three years of detention, our father, husband, and son, Marc Fogel, is finally coming home”.

Fogel’s return is not just a personal victory. But also a testament to the power of persistent advocacy and diplomatic negotiation. As he reunites with his loved ones, his story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Americans detained abroad. As well as the importance of government action in securing their freedom.

Marc Fogel’s release is a beacon of hope for other Americans still in foreign prisons.

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