Russia releases imprisoned US citizen – White House
The White House has announced that Moscow has released a former employee of the US embassy who had been convicted on drug charges, following discussions with Washington. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Marc Fogel, a former employee of the US embassy, was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison on drug trafficking charges.
The White House announced on Tuesday that Fogel has been released following negotiations with advisors to President Donald Trump. Fogel, who was a schoolteacher and diplomat, received his sentence in 2022 after being arrested for drug-related offenses.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday morning indicating that a private jet owned by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff had entered Russian airspace and landed in Moscow. The US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracey, was later observed by RIA Novosti at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated, “Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,” adding that Trump, Witkoff, and other presidential advisors played a role in negotiating Fogel’s release as part of “an exchange.”
So far, Moscow has not commented on this development. Fogel’s lawyer in Russia confirmed his release to TASS, noting that details remain unclear. The former diplomat has boarded a flight and is anticipated to reach out to his legal team in Russia upon arrival in the United States, according to his lawyer.
Waltz described Fogel’s release as a “show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the … war in Ukraine.”
Fogel worked at an Anglo-American school in Moscow and had previously been employed at the US embassy. He lost his diplomatic immunity in May 2021 and was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport in August of that year, found in possession of marijuana and hashish oil. Reports indicated that these substances were allegedly hidden among his personal belongings.
Russian authorities accused him of trying to establish a drug trafficking route into the country, leading to his substantial prison sentence.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
The White House announced on Tuesday that Fogel has been released following negotiations with advisors to President Donald Trump. Fogel, who was a schoolteacher and diplomat, received his sentence in 2022 after being arrested for drug-related offenses.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday morning indicating that a private jet owned by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff had entered Russian airspace and landed in Moscow. The US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracey, was later observed by RIA Novosti at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated, “Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,” adding that Trump, Witkoff, and other presidential advisors played a role in negotiating Fogel’s release as part of “an exchange.”
So far, Moscow has not commented on this development. Fogel’s lawyer in Russia confirmed his release to TASS, noting that details remain unclear. The former diplomat has boarded a flight and is anticipated to reach out to his legal team in Russia upon arrival in the United States, according to his lawyer.
Waltz described Fogel’s release as a “show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the … war in Ukraine.”
Fogel worked at an Anglo-American school in Moscow and had previously been employed at the US embassy. He lost his diplomatic immunity in May 2021 and was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport in August of that year, found in possession of marijuana and hashish oil. Reports indicated that these substances were allegedly hidden among his personal belongings.
Russian authorities accused him of trying to establish a drug trafficking route into the country, leading to his substantial prison sentence.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
