American Teacher and Former Diplomat Marc Fogel Released from Russian Prison

American Teacher and Former Diplomat Marc Fogel Released from Russian Prison

Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American schoolteacher and former diplomat, has been released from a Russian prison after spending over three years behind bars.

Fogel was arrested in 2021 for carrying a small amount of medical marijuana that had been legally prescribed in the United States. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, a punishment that drew criticism from human rights groups and U.S. officials.

Following his release, Fogel described the decision as a "show of good faith" from the Russian government and suggested that it could be a step toward de-escalating tensions in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.