A US teacher who was serving a 14-year prison sentence for marijuana possession has been released in a parole agreement, the White House said on Tuesday.
Marc Fogel was arrested by Russian police in 2021 upon arrival in Moscow on charges of possessing medical marijuana, and was convicted a year later. Fogel said he was prescribed the marijuana after back surgery.
Fogel, who taught at the Anglo-American School in the Russian capital after a stint at the US Embassy, had been overlooked in previous prisoner exchanges between the US and Russia.
"Today, President Donald J. Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, are able to announce that Witkoff is departing Russian airspace with Marc Fogel," the statement said.
"President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the president's advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a sign of goodwill from the Russians and an indication that we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and horrific war in Ukraine," the statement continued.
The White House did not say who it released in exchange for Fogel.
In August 2024, Russia, the United States, and several other countries carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War, freeing 16 people, including Radio Free Europe journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
Those released also included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan – from Russian and Belarusian prisons.
Eight Russians returned home./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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