American Teacher Marc Fogel Released From Russian Detention

I’LL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THIS INVESTIGATION. AND WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. BUTLER COUNTY NATIVE MARK FOGLE, WHO’S BEEN DETAINED IN RUSSIA SINCE 2021, HAS NOW BEEN DECLARED WRONGFULLY DETAINED. THAT STATUS CHANGE COMES FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR, AND THIS IS A STORY THAT COMES FROM OUR NEWS PARTNERS AT THE TRIB. THE OAKMONT TEACHER, WHO WAS TEACHING FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS IN RUSSIA, HAS BEEN IN A PRISON IN RUSSIA FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER HE BROUGHT MEDICAL MARIJUANA INTO THE COUNTRY FOR BACK PAIN. THIS DESIGNATION NOW PROVIDES HIS FAMILY WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT AS THEY PRAY, THE U.S. CAN BROKER SOME KIND OF DEAL WITH THE RUSSIANS TO TRY TO BRING HIM HOME. THIS MORNING, ALLEGHENY COUNTY POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING AFTER A BODY WAS FOUND IN SHALER TOWNSHIP LAST NIGHT. INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE WERE SOMEONE IN THE AREA OF HAHN ROAD WHO DISCOVERED THE BODY IN THE WOODS. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER IS NOW WORKING TO DETERMINE A CAUSE OF DEATH. THAT VICTIM HAS NOT BEEN PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED. MORE DETAILS NOW ON A CHRISTMAS NIGHT CRASH INVOLVING A PEDESTRIAN IN PETERS TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON COUNTY. POLICE SAY A 79 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS CROSSING ROUTE 19 WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY A CAR. SHE LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER STOPPED AFTER THE CRASH. AS OF NOW,

Russia has released detained American teacher Marc Fogel, the White House says

Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel, who has been detained in Russia since his arrest in 2021, is on his way home.National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced the release in a statement that read, in part:”Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia.”At the end of December, Fogel was declared “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government.Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony in 2022 for drug trafficking after he was arrested for possessing medical marijuana, which was prescribed by a doctor in the United States.Fogel’s mother, Malphine Fogel, has been fighting to bring her son home since his arrest. In June of last year, a bipartisan resolution was passed by the Senate calling for his release.At the time, Malphine Fogel told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, “He has missed so much with his family. His youngest son graduated from college. Of course, you didn’t see that. The birthdays and wedding anniversary and, you know, it’s just really, really hard.”FULL STATEMENT FROM WALTZ:”Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia. President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves 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. Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.”

Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel, who has been detained in Russia since his arrest in 2021, is on his way home.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced the release in a statement that read, in part:

“Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia.”

At the end of December, Fogel was declared “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government.

Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony in 2022 for drug trafficking after he was arrested for possessing medical marijuana, which was prescribed by a doctor in the United States.

Fogel’s mother, Malphine Fogel, has been fighting to bring her son home since his arrest. In June of last year, a bipartisan resolution was passed by the Senate calling for his release.

At the time, Malphine Fogel told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, “He has missed so much with his family. His youngest son graduated from college. Of course, you didn’t see that. The birthdays and wedding anniversary and, you know, it’s just really, really hard.”

FULL STATEMENT FROM WALTZ:

“Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia. President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves 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. Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.”

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