Marc Fogel, an Oakmont teacher who has been detained in Russia since 2021, has been released, according to the White House.
“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,” said National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in a statement.
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.”
No further details regarding his release were offered by the administration.
The 63-year-old Fogel was arrested in August 2021 outside of Moscow as he returned to Russia for his 10th and final year as a history teacher at the Anglo-American School of Moscow. He was sentenced in June 2022 to 14 years of hard labor.
Pennsylvania leaders were quick to express their enthusiasm that Fogel will soon be back on Commonwealth soil.
I am thrilled that Marc Fogel is finally coming home after years of being wrongfully held in Russia. I have been working with the Administration on this since day one and I’m grateful to President Trump and Secretary Rubio for delivering on their commitment to free Marc. As I… pic.twitter.com/MpQZzIfFpl
— Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) February 11, 2025
Marc Fogel’s return home is long overdue—and I know all of Pennsylvania, especially his family, will be welcoming him back with open arms.
I want to thank @POTUS and @SteveWitkoff for their efforts in finally bringing Marc home. https://t.co/HPwJPKWP5M
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 11, 2025
After more than 3 years in Russian captivity, I join his family, our federal partners, and all of his fellow Pennsylvanians in welcoming Marc Fogel home — exactly where he belongs.
Thank you to those at the @WhiteHouse who made his release possible, and to his wife Jane, mom,…
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) February 11, 2025
And from Fogel’s congressional representative, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17).
I’m thrilled that Marc Fogel is finally heading home! pic.twitter.com/RN6PnEUdd3
— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) February 11, 2025
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One Response
I am happy that Marc Fogel has been freed. Nonetheless, I remain angry that a person who lacked a sense of personal responsibility and discretion to leave his marijuana at home, and who decided that his personal privilege and convenience was more important than his responsibility to his fellow citizens, put himself in the position of a dictator’s pawn to be used to undermine American democracy and also trade away the freedom and independence of 33 million Ukrainians. Selfishness has prevailed over self-sacrifice once again.