Claire Dawson
Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old history teacher from Pittsburgh, was detained in Russia for three and a half years after being arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport in August 2021 for carrying half an ounce of medical marijuana. He was convicted in a Russian court on drug charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison. During his imprisonment, Fogel experienced severe health deterioration, including muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and frequent falls, resulting in multiple hospitalizations. On February 11, 2025, Fogel was released from Russian custody and returned to the United States, where he underwent a medical evaluation in Texas before being reunited with his family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalization | Neuropathy in one of his feet, muscle atrophy, and frequent falls |
| Number of hospitalizations | 101 days in hospitals while in Russian custody |
| Number of days in Russian custody | 1,255 days |
| Number of days in hospital as a percentage of total custody time | 8% |
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Marc Fogel was imprisoned in Russia for 14 years for carrying medical marijuana
On August 14, 2021, Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American history teacher, was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport for carrying just under an ounce of medical marijuana. Fogel had been using the substance to treat his severe back pain and associated knee, hip, and shoulder problems. The marijuana had been legally prescribed to him in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, where he is a native of Pittsburgh.
In June 2022, a Russian court convicted Fogel on drug charges and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. Fogel was imprisoned in a Russian penal colony, where he experienced a dramatic deterioration in his health. He suffered from muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and frequent falls, resulting in multiple hospitalizations during his incarceration. Despite treatments, his condition did not improve.
Fogel's imprisonment sparked an outreach campaign by his family, who advocated strongly for his release. On February 11, 2025, after three years of detainment, Fogel was released from Russian custody through an "exchange" negotiated by President Donald Trump's administration. Fogel expressed profound gratitude for regaining his freedom, and his family shared their relief and comfort, describing their long-awaited reunion as the start of their recovery.
Upon his release, Fogel was reunited with his family and headed to a hospital in Texas for assessment and treatment, marking a positive step towards healing and recovery for both Fogel and his loved ones.
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He spent 101 days in hospitals while in Russian custody
Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American history teacher, was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in August 2021 for carrying 17 grams (0.6 ounces) of medical marijuana. The marijuana was prescribed to him by doctors in the U.S. to alleviate chronic pain stemming from a series of injuries and operations. In June 2022, he was convicted in a Russian court and sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug charges.
During his three years in Russian custody, Fogel's health deteriorated significantly. He experienced muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and frequent falls. Despite several hospitalizations and treatments, including injections and medications, his condition did not improve. Fogel spent a total of 101 days in hospitals while in Russian custody, including a three-week stay in July. His poor health was a major concern for U.S. officials, who advocated for his release.
Fogel was imprisoned in a remote Russian penal colony, where he faced additional challenges due to the language barrier and lack of understanding of the medical procedures administered. The isolation and mental paralysis of being imprisoned in a foreign country with little diplomatic ties to the U.S. further exacerbated his situation. Fogel's family and advocates actively pursued his release, and on February 11, 2025, he was finally freed through a negotiated exchange.
Upon his release, Fogel expressed profound gratitude for regaining his freedom, and his family shared their relief and comfort, describing their long-awaited reunion as the start of their recovery. Fogel's release marked a diplomatic warming and a potential step towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
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Fogel's deteriorating health was a cause for concern
Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American history teacher, was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in August 2021 for carrying 17 grams (0.6 ounces) of medical marijuana. The marijuana was prescribed to him by doctors in the U.S. to alleviate severe spinal pain and other chronic ailments. Despite providing this explanation, Fogel was convicted in a Russian court in June 2022 on drug charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
The U.S. government recognized the unjust nature of Fogel's detention in December 2024, and diplomatic efforts to secure his freedom intensified. On February 11, 2025, after more than 1,200 days in Russian custody, Fogel was released through a negotiation process involving President Donald Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Upon his release, Fogel expressed profound gratitude for regaining his freedom and described himself as feeling incredibly fortunate.
Following his release, Fogel returned to the United States and visited the White House, where he met with President Trump. Fogel's release marked a diplomatic warming and potentially propelled peace talks in Ukraine forward. Fogel's family expressed their deep appreciation and relief, describing their long-awaited reunion as the start of their recovery.
Fogel's health issues did not immediately resolve after his release. He was admitted to a hospital in Texas for assessment and treatment, where he was expected to remain for at least a week or two. Despite his challenging experience, Fogel's safe return and the positive impact on diplomatic relations provided a sense of comfort and hope for his loved ones and those advocating for Americans detained abroad.
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He was released in February 2025 after three years of detainment
After three years of detainment, 63-year-old Marc Fogel was released from Russian custody on February 11, 2025. Fogel, a teacher from Pennsylvania, was arrested in August 2021 for carrying half an ounce of medical marijuana, which had been prescribed to treat his chronic pain. He was convicted in a Russian court on drug charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison. During his detainment, Fogel's health deteriorated significantly, with muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and frequent falls. He spent 101 days in hospitals while in Russian custody.
Fogel's release was negotiated by Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's advisers. Witkoff personally travelled to Russia to bring Fogel back to the United States. The release was described 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 National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Upon his release, Fogel expressed profound gratitude for regaining his freedom, calling himself the most fortunate person alive. Fogel's family also shared their relief and appreciation, stating that it marked the end of the most challenging chapter in their lives. Fogel's mother, Malphine Fogel, who had been advocating tirelessly for her son's release, recalled the joyful phone call she received from him, sharing her doubts about whether she would see him again.
Fogel's release marked a diplomatic warming between the United States and Russia, potentially advancing peace talks in Ukraine. It also brought attention to the issue of unjust imprisonments and the complexities of global diplomacy. Fogel's freedom offers hope for other Americans detained in foreign countries. After his release, Fogel visited the White House and met with President Trump, expressing his thanks for his freedom. Fogel then travelled to a hospital in Texas for assessment and treatment, where he was expected to remain for about one to two weeks.
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Fogel's freedom was negotiated by President Trump
Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American history teacher, was arrested in August 2021 for carrying half an ounce of medical marijuana that had been prescribed to him in the U.S. to treat his chronic pain. He was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony, where he experienced muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and frequent falls, and was hospitalized several times.
Fogel was finally released in February 2025, after three years of detainment in Russia. His release was negotiated by President Donald Trump's team, which included Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Waltz described the deal as a "show of good faith from the Russians and a sign [they are] moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine." Trump himself called the agreement equitable and reasonable, and said that it could play an important role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
The specifics of the exchange were not revealed, but it was confirmed that the U.S. freed a Russian cybercrime boss, Alexander Vinnik, as part of the deal. Vinnik had to forfeit over $100 million to the U.S. government and was awaiting transportation back to Russia.
Upon his release, Fogel returned to the United States and met with President Trump at the White House to express his gratitude for regaining his freedom. Fogel's family also conveyed their deep appreciation, saying that they were "beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed."
Fogel's release marked a diplomatic warming between the U.S. and Russia, potentially propelling peace talks in Ukraine forward. It also brought attention to the issue of unjust imprisonments and the complexities of global diplomacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Marc Fogel was imprisoned in Russia for carrying half an ounce of medical marijuana which he used to treat his chronic pain.
Marc Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug trafficking allegations.
Marc Fogel was released on February 11, 2025, after three years of detainment in Russia.
Marc Fogel was hospitalized multiple times while in Russian custody due to his deteriorating health. He experienced muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and frequent falls.
