With an American flag draped over his shoulders, Marc Fogel, the American teacher freed from a Russian prison, arrived at the White House on Tuesday night and was welcomed by President Donald Trump.
Fogel, 63, had been serving a 14-year prison sentence in a Russian prison colony after being arrested in 2021 on drug charges.
"I am not a hero," Fogel said "President Donald Trump is a hero."
At times overcome with emotion, Fogel thanked his family -- including his 95-year-old mother, who pleaded his case to Trump at a campaign rally last year.
He also thanked Steve Witkoff, Trump's special Middle East envoy, who played a key role in negotiating Fogel's release.
Fogel spent three and a half years in prison before his release. He declined to describe his ordeal in specifics, saying every day was a challenge but that he needed time to talk about it. He said he had received over 400 injections while imprisoned.
Fogel, 63, had been serving a 14-year prison sentence in a Russian prison colony after being arrested in 2021 on drug charges.
"I am not a hero," Fogel said "President Donald Trump is a hero."
At times overcome with emotion, Fogel thanked his family -- including his 95-year-old mother, who pleaded his case to Trump at a campaign rally last year.
He also thanked Steve Witkoff, Trump's special Middle East envoy, who played a key role in negotiating Fogel's release.
Fogel spent three and a half years in prison before his release. He declined to describe his ordeal in specifics, saying every day was a challenge but that he needed time to talk about it. He said he had received over 400 injections while imprisoned.
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