Ethan Rhodes
Marc Fogel, an American teacher, was hospitalized in Russia for around 101 days while serving a 14-year sentence for possession of medical marijuana. Fogel had been teaching at an international school in Moscow since 2012, and was arrested in August 2021 for carrying prescribed medical cannabis to treat his chronic pain. Despite being deemed wrongfully detained, he was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to hard labor in a Russian penal colony. Following diplomatic negotiations led by President Trump, Fogel was released in February 2025 and returned to the U.S., ending his hospitalization in Russia.
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What You'll Learn
Marc Fogel's arrest and conviction in Russia
On August 14, 2021, Marc Hilliard Fogel, an American schoolteacher, was arrested by Russian authorities at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. Fogel was charged with attempting to enter Russia with 0.6 ounces (17 grams) of medical cannabis in his luggage. The substance had been prescribed to him in the United States to treat chronic back pain.
Fogel had been living and working in Russia since 2012, teaching history at the Anglo-American School of Moscow, where his students included the children of U.S. diplomats. He had previously taught at international schools in Colombia, Malaysia, Oman, Mexico, and Venezuela.
In June 2022, Fogel was convicted of "large-scale drug smuggling" and sentenced to 14 years in prison. He was sent to a penal colony in Rybinsk to serve his sentence. During his time in Russian custody, Fogel's health deteriorated, and he spent a total of 101 days in hospitals, including a three-week stay in July 2024.
On February 11, 2025, after serving three and a half years of his sentence, Fogel was released from Russian imprisonment and returned to the United States. His release was facilitated through diplomatic negotiations led by President Donald Trump and involved a prisoner exchange for the Russian cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik, who was held by the United States.
Upon his arrival in the U.S., Fogel was greeted by President Trump at the White House, where he expressed his gratitude for his release and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his generosity and statesmanship. Fogel's family, who had advocated strongly for his release, expressed their relief and gratitude, thanking President Trump and the White House for their efforts in securing Fogel's freedom.
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Fogel's release from Russia
On February 11, 2025, after serving three and a half years in a Russian prison, Marc Fogel was released by Russian authorities and returned to the United States. Fogel, a Pennsylvania native, was arrested in August 2021 for carrying 0.6 ounces (17 grams) of medical cannabis into Russia. The substance had been prescribed to him in the United States to treat chronic pain. He was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Fogel's release was the result of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Russia, led by President Donald Trump. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, accompanied Fogel on his flight out of Russia. While the specifics of the deal have not been disclosed, it has been described as a ""good show of faith from the Russians" and a potential step towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Fogel's detention in Russia sparked concern among US officials, particularly regarding his health. In a letter, US Senator Bob Casey highlighted Fogel's deteriorating health, noting that he had spent 101 days in hospitals while in Russian custody, including a three-week stay in July. Fogel's advanced age and health issues made him particularly vulnerable during his imprisonment.
Fogel's release was met with relief and gratitude by his family, who had tirelessly advocated for his freedom. In a statement, Fogel's family expressed: "We are beyond grateful, relieved, and overwhelmed that after more than three years of detention, our father, husband, and son, Marc Fogel, is finally coming home." They also acknowledged the efforts of President Trump and the legal teams who worked towards Fogel's release.
Fogel himself praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as ""very generous and statesmanlike in granting me a pardon." Upon his return to the United States, Fogel was welcomed at the White House by President Trump, who celebrated the release and hinted at the possibility of another prisoner being freed the following day.
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Fogel's time in Russian hospitals
During his time in Russia, Marc Fogel was hospitalized for 101 days while in custody, including a three-week stay in July. Fogel's worsening health while in Russian custody was a cause for concern for officials. In a letter, U.S. Senator Bob Casey noted that Fogel's neuropathy in one of his feet had caused him to fall multiple times, increasing the risk of severe injury. Fogel's health issues and prolonged hospitalization highlight the challenges he faced during his detention in Russia.
Fogel, an American teacher, was detained in Russia in August 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing medical cannabis. He was convicted of drug trafficking, although the substance had been prescribed to him in the United States for chronic pain. Fogel's family expressed their disappointment that he was not included in an earlier prisoner exchange in 2024 and advocated for his release.
Fogel was finally released from Russia on February 11, 2025, following diplomatic negotiations led by President Donald Trump. Upon his arrival in the U.S., he was welcomed at the White House by President Trump, who praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his role in the release. Fogel's mother, Malphine Fogel, expressed her relief and gratitude, stating that she had wondered if she would see her son again.
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Reactions from Fogel's family
The detention of Marc Fogel in Russia caused his family immense distress, and they expressed their disappointment when he was not included in the 2024 Russian prisoner exchange. Fogel's mother, Malphine, was at the forefront of the campaign for her son's release, even filing a lawsuit against the US government. She met with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, who promised to work towards Fogel's release.
Fogel's wife, Jane, his mother, and his children, Ethan and Sam, expressed their gratitude for his eventual release in 2025, thanking President Trump and various officials for their efforts. They also thanked their friends, supporters, and the legal teams that stood by their loved one. Malphine shared how devotion to the Holy Rosary sustained her throughout her son's imprisonment, stating that she believed it also helped Fogel. She also revealed that her son had access to a chapel during his detention, which he visited daily.
Fogel's mother expressed her relief that she would see her son again, crediting Trump for his release. She also acknowledged the roles of US representatives Guy Reschenthaler, Mike Kelly, and Chris Deluzio. Fogel's family also expressed their pain at his absence, with his mother stating that he had "missed so much with his family".
The family's relief at Fogel's release was evident, with his wife, Jane, stating that it was a moment of gratitude, relief, and overwhelming emotion after years of darkness and pain. They expressed their hope for the future, stating that they could now "look forward with hope".
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Negotiations for Fogel's release
On February 11, 2025, after serving three and a half years in a Russian prison, Marc Fogel was released by Russian authorities and returned to the United States. Fogel, a Pennsylvania native and American schoolteacher, was arrested in August 2021 by Russian authorities for entering Russia with 0.6 ounces (17 grams) of medical cannabis. He was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Fogel's release was the result of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Russia, led by President Donald Trump and his administration. Trump's Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, accompanied Fogel on his flight out of Russia and back to the United States. The release was described by the White House as a good show of faith from the Russians and a potential step towards ending the war in Ukraine.
While the exact details of the negotiations remain undisclosed, it is known that Fogel's release was part of a prisoner exchange. The United States released Russian cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik as part of the deal. Previous negotiations between the two countries have also involved reciprocal releases of Russian prisoners by the United States or its allies.
The release of Fogel was applauded by his family, who expressed their gratitude and relief. Fogel's mother, Malphine Fogel, shared her doubts about ever seeing her son again and extended her thanks to those who worked for his release. Fogel himself praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "very generous and statesmanlike in granting [him] a pardon."
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Frequently asked questions
Marc Fogel was hospitalized in Russia due to worsening health while in custody. He spent 101 days in hospitals while in Russian custody, including a three-week stay in July.
Marc Fogel was arrested in August 2021 by Russian authorities for entering Russia with 0.6 ounces (17 grams) of medical cannabis. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Marc Fogel was released from Russian custody on February 11, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.
Marc Fogel's detention in Russia greatly impacted his family, who advocated strongly for his release. His mother, Malphine Fogel, expressed her gratitude for his release, stating that she had wondered if she would see him again.
