A 63-year-old teacher arrived at the White home late Tuesday night, wrapped in an American flag, and was welcomed by Trump, who stated it was Honorthat he could play a tiny function in his release.
Marc Fogel, a teacher convicted by the Russian court and a erstwhile diplomat, returned to the United States as part of a prisoner exchange. Fogel was sentenced in 2022 to 14 years in prison for having a tiny amount of medicinal marijuana. The preparation was prescribed to him in the United States.
Very nice. Russia
It is not yet clear who the United States released in return. According to a White home statement, his release was the consequence of an exchange that was negotiated by peculiar Envoy for the mediate East, Steven Witkoff. The White home did not uncover what Russia received in return, however, stressing that it was Goodwill Show from Russia.
During the signing ceremony at the Oval Office, erstwhile Trump was asked if the US had offered Russia something in exchange for the release of the teacher, he replied that little.
They were very kind. We were treated very well by Russia. In fact, I hope this is the beginning of a relation where we can end this war and millions of people will halt being killed. said the president of the United States.
The U.S. president confirmed that it is expected to release another American, but did not uncover any additional details.
Betrayed by Biden?
The U.S. government found Mr. Fogel to be wrongfully detained only in December 2024, even though he began serving time in 2022. His household tried to convince erstwhile president Joe Biden to release him, feeling disappointed erstwhile he was not included in the prisoner exchanges in 2022 and 2024.
Fogel's sister, Anne Fogel, said earlier in a conversation with the BBC that her brother, who was detained in Russia in 2021, was transferred last Wednesday from the penal colony in Rybinsk. She added that the household knew that his release was possible, but defined the negotiations as weak.
The American basketball star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia in 2022 on akin charges, was released in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor But's 10 months later. The Biden administration then assured the release of another 3 Americans last year as part of the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
Anne Fogel then said in a conversation with the BBC that she felt betrayedWhen she learned that her brother had not been included in this exchange of prisoners, which Biden called diplomatic feat.
