12 Feb, 07:00

FACTBOX: Russia releases US citizen Marc Fogel from custody

Marc Fogel flew home with Trump's special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff

© Aaron Schwartz/ Pool/ Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

WASHINGTON, February 12. /TASS/. The United States highly appreciates the release of American citizen Marc Fogel by the Russian government, US President Donald Trump said.

Fogel, in turn, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "was very generous and statesmanlike" in granting him a pardon.

The release procedure

- US citizen Marc Fogel, detained in Russia for drug smuggling, has been released, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said.

- He flew home with Trump's special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

- Fogel's Russian lawyer Dmitry Ovsyannikov confirmed his release.

- Fogel said Russian President Vladimir Putin "was very generous and statesmanlike" in granting him a pardon.

US government reaction

- Russia has made a great step towards the US in releasing Fogel, which "could be a big, important part in getting the war over with Ukraine," Trump said.

- He added that the US appreciated the release of the citizen by the Russian government.

Fogel's case

- Fogel worked as a teacher at an Anglo-American school in Moscow and was previously an employee of the US embassy.

- He was an official diplomat until May 2021, along with his spouse.

- Fogel was detained upon arrival in Moscow on an August 14, 2021 flight from New York.

- Customs officers stopped him at Sheremetyevo airport when he was passing through the green corridor.

- The search of his luggage revealed marijuana and cannabis oil.

- The court sentenced Fogel to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling.

- Last December, the Russian Supreme Court refused to consider Fogel's appeal.

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