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American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who has been in jail in Russia since being arrested on drug charges in 2021, has arrived again on U.S. soil.
Fogel was welcomed again to America by President Donald Trump on the White Home on Tuesday evening and mentioned he was “the luckiest man alive.”
Draped within the American flag and punching the air, Fogel regarded jubilant as he disembarked from a aircraft on Tuesday evening.
Talking beside Trump at a press convention, an emotional Fogel mentioned he would “forever be indebted” to the president for securing his launch.
“I’m a middle-class school teacher who’s now in a dream world,” he mentioned.
Fogel additionally revealed that he was hospitalized “for more than 100 days” whereas in Russian captivity and through that ordeal was given “more than 400 injections.”
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Fogel with Trump contained in the White Home. The instructor mentioned he felt just like the ‘luckiest man alive’ (AP)
“Knowing I had the support of my fellow Pennsylvanians, my family, my friends, it was so overwhelming that it brought me to my knees, and it brought me to tears, but it was it was my energy, it was my being that kept me going that whole time,” Fogel mentioned. “And I will forever be indebted to President Trump.”
Trump mentioned that he “appreciated” what President Vladimir Putin did within the deal to carry Fogel residence, however didn’t share particulars of the settlement. “He was able to pull it off for you, right?” Trump mentioned to Fogel.
The president additionally confirmed that one other detained American could be launched on Wednesday.
“Somebody else is being released tomorrow that you will know of,” Trump informed reporters, however didn’t go into additional particulars.
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Fogel was pictured jubilantly punching the air as he landed again within the U.S. (The White Home)
Earlier within the day, an announcement launched by White Home nationwide safety adviser Mike Waltz confirmed Fogel’s launch and that he could be reunited together with his household following “an exchange” with Russia.
The assertion additionally highlighted the profitable launch of Americans “detained around the world” by the Trump administration.
“In the present day, President Donald J. Trump and his Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff are capable of announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,” the assertion learn.
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an change that serves as a present of fine religion from the Russians and an indication we’re transferring in the best path to finish the brutal and horrible struggle in Ukraine.”
Trump’s secretary of state Marco Rubio and Adam Boehler, Trump’s particular envoy for hostage affairs, earlier hinted in regards to the different detained American attributable to be launched on Wednesday, but in addition wouldn’t give additional particulars.
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Fogel pictured on the aircraft again to U.S. after launch from Russian jail (X/Adam Boehler)
“That’s going to be a surprise for tomorrow,” Boehler informed CNN’s The Supply anchor Kaitlan Collins.
Talking to Fox Information following the announcement, Fogel’s 95-year-old mom Malphine Fogel, mentioned her son could be “sore from hugs” after returning residence and thanked the president particularly.
“Trump promised and I can’t thank him enough, and Secretary Rubio, also, and anyone else who had a hand in this,” she mentioned. “I’m sure there were a few who got the ball rolling but I particularly want to thank President Trump.”
Requested about Waltz’s remarks in regards to the finish of the battle in Ukraine, she added: “Nobody wants to see the war go on, I just hope there’s enough expertise and enough feeling in the political arena that they can get something done I think it’s first and foremost what we should be thinking about.”
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Fogel was arrested on drug charges in 2021 and held in a Russian jail ever since (Fb)
Fogel was a instructor on the Anglo-American College in Moscow, the place many diplomats from the U.S. Embassy ship their kids.
He was arrested in August 2021, after he was caught touring with 11 grams of medically prescribed marijuana, in line with his household and pals. Eight grams of hash oil was reportedly additionally present in his baggage.
In response to FreeMarcFogel.internet, the U.S. State Division informed his household on the time “to remain silent.”
“They did. Days became weeks, weeks became months. The Fogels continued to take their lead from the U.S. State Department who said they were doing everything they could to get Marc home,” the web site states.
Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in jail in Russia in June 2022.
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Within the time since his detention, Fogel’s household has been outspoken in its criticism of the Biden administration, and accused the previous president of ‘picking winners and losers’ (Copyright 2023 The Related Press. All rights reserved)
It was not till October 2024 that Fogel was decided to be “wrongfully detained” by then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Since his detention, Fogel’s household has been outspoken in its criticism of the Biden administration and accused the previous president of “picking winners and losers” and providing “special treatment” to the likes of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner.
Griner, 34, was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in February 2022 for carrying vape cartridges containing marijuana focus cannabis oil in her baggage and later obtained a nine-year jail sentence.
Fogel’s household mentioned they’d been “overshadowed” within the media and with their appeals to the federal government, by Griner.
