American teacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since 2021 for carrying medically prescribed marijuana, has been released and returned to the United States. Fogel, 63, was welcomed back by former President Donald Trump at the White House, where he expressed his gratitude for the efforts made to secure his release.
Fogel had been serving a lengthy 14-year sentence for drug smuggling, a conviction that the U.S. State Department deemed "unjust." He was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after arriving from New York with less than an ounce of cannabis, which his family stated was prescribed for chronic back pain. Russian authorities accused him of attempting to smuggle drugs, leading to a conviction that resulted in his transfer to a penal colony known for its harsh conditions.
On February 11, 2025, Fogel was handed over to U.S. officials in Moscow, marking the end of a protracted legal and diplomatic ordeal. His release followed a negotiation process that remains somewhat unclear, with reports suggesting a possible exchange involving an unnamed Russian prisoner held in the U.S. Trump described the negotiation as “very fair” and expressed hope that it could pave the way for improved relations with Russia and a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Upon his return, Fogel was visibly emotional, draped in a U.S. flag as he thanked Trump and other officials for their support. He referred to them as “heroes” and acknowledged Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement in the negotiations. Fogel’s family expressed immense relief and gratitude, marking the end of what they described as a painful chapter in their lives.
Fogel, who had spent much of his career teaching in international schools across various countries, had been living in Moscow since 2012. He was employed at the Anglo-American School, which serves U.S. citizens and diplomats’ children, until his diplomatic status was revoked in 2020.
The release of Fogel comes amid a backdrop of strained U.S.-Russia relations, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At least ten other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia, including military personnel and a dual U.S.-Russian citizen convicted of treason for a minor donation to a charity.
Trump’s administration has reiterated its commitment to securing the release of all detained Americans, and Fogel’s case has drawn significant attention, particularly given the recent history of prisoner swaps between the U.S. and Russia. The former president’s remarks suggest a desire to leverage Fogel’s release as a potential stepping stone toward ending hostilities in Ukraine, highlighting the complex interplay of diplomacy and personal freedoms in international relations.