American Hostages Return Home, Another Release Expected
Washington, DC – As American teacher Marc Fogel made his return to the U.S. on Tuesday night, Special Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that another American hostage is expected to be released on Wednesday.
Boehler and Rubio declined to provide details about the identity or location of the second hostage, citing security concerns. "Obviously, it could endanger a hostage release, and that I can’t do," Boehler said.
The expected release comes amidst ongoing efforts by the Biden administration to secure the freedom of all American hostages held abroad. President Joe Biden has made it a priority to bring all Americans home, according to Boehler.
Fogel’s Return
Fogel, a 63-year-old history teacher from Pennsylvania, was arrested in August 2021 at a Russian airport for possession of medical marijuana. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, despite his family and supporters’ claims that it was prescribed for medical reasons.
Fogel was designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. In a statement, his wife Jane and sons Ethan and Sam expressed their gratitude and relief at his release.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said President Biden and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff negotiated an exchange that "serves as a good show of faith from the Russians." He also noted that the exchange is a positive step towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Unilateral Releases
Both Fogel’s release and the expected release on Wednesday are described as unilateral, meaning they are not part of a formal prisoner swap. This approach has been successful in securing the freedom of other American hostages in the past, including former Marine Trevor Reed, who was released in April.
Continued Efforts
The Biden administration remains committed to bringing all American hostages home. Boehler emphasized that the president has made it a priority and will continue working until all Americans are released.
"Since President Biden’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Biden will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States," Waltz said.
Fogel’s release is a welcome development and provides hope that other American hostages will soon be reunited with their families. The Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to secure their release are commendable and should be continued with determination.
