Family of Marc Fogel reacts to his release from Russian prison: "It's ...

9 days ago

CBS News

Family of Marc Fogel reacts to his release from Russian prison Its

After three-and-a-half years of imprisonment in Russia, Butler, Pennsylvania, native Marc Fogel is returning home.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Marc Fogel has been released after three and a half years in Russian detention.

The Butler, Pennsylvania, native and Oakmont teacher was imprisoned in Russia after he was allegedly found with medical marijuana.

According to Fogel's sister, Anne Fogel, the family got word that Fogel was on a plane just before 2 p.m. ET Tuesday. Fogel landed in Washington, D.C., later Tuesday, and his family was overcome with emotion.

A photo showed Fogel on his way back to the U.S. – a day his family has been waiting for since August 2021.

"I'm just now starting to come down to a different reality of my life. It's extraordinary," Anne told CBS News Pittsburgh by phone.

Anne, along with her mother Malphine Fogel and other family members, have been fighting to get Fogel home since he was detained. At the end of President Joe Biden's administration, Fogel was finally given the status of being wrongfully detained.

The White House and President Trump said Tuesday that White House special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, "negotiated an exchange," but did not provide further details. Local lawmakers here have been pushing to get Fogel home.

Fogel was first detained at an airport in Moscow. His family said he was found carrying 17 grams of marijuana for medical reasons to treat chronic back pain. He was later given a 14-year sentence.

"People should expect their government to always fight for them, their representatives to fight for them," Rep. Chris Deluzio said Wednesday.

Anne, who resides in Montana, said she was not going to be overcome with emotion when she saw her brother.

Fearing the worst for Fogel has been her life during his imprisonment. "I'm looking forward to seeing him. Knowing he's safe. Knowing his family is together. We're just grateful," Anne said. For Fogel's mother, Malphine, it's a welcome home she didn't know she would get. Her worst fear was she would never see her son again.

Fogel's wife and children were on their way to Washington, D.C., Tuesday to greet him. The family learned last week he was moved to Moscow. Then, Malphine got a call from Fogel saying he was at the airport and coming home."I just got dizzy. I thought did I get this right? I really couldn't process it," Malphine said.

Anne said Fogel was scheduled to land around 9 p.m. Tuesday at Andrews Air Force Base. He will have to undergo physical and psychological evaluations.

There was no word Tuesday on when he would be able to return to Pittsburgh.