Marc Fogel’s journey: A timeline of his detention in Russia to his return to U.S. nearly 4 years later
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Marc Fogel exits a plane after arriving back in the United States after more than three and a half years of detention in Russia on Feb. 11, 2025. White House account on X
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In this image from January 2022, Butler native Marc Fogel is shown on security footage being detained in August 2021 at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. Fogel was released on Feb. 11, 2025, after over three years of imprisonment. Russian Interior Ministry
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Silvio Andreassi, Josephine Vasbinder, Malphine Fogel, Lydia Emrick and Helen Bartoe pose for pictures during their annual family reunion in 2022 at Sugarcreek Community Park in Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County. The family was advocating for the release of Marc Fogel from Russian Prison. Butler Eagle File Photo
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Malphine Fogel listens to friends and family members speak about her son, Marc, a Russian detainee, during the press conference she held at her home in Butler to discuss her lawsuit against Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 20, 2024. Marc Fogel was released on Feb. 11, 2025, after over three years of imprisonment. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The poster for ‘Did You Forget Mr. Fogel?’ a 2024 documentary directed by Max Karpman. The documentary was screened at the Penn Theater in July 2024. Fogel was released on Feb. 11, 2025, after over three years of imprisonment. Submitted photo
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Artists from around the world created 50 squares that were combined to make one image depicting Marc Fogel, a Butler native who was detained in a Russian prison. Fogel was released from Russian prison on Feb. 11, 2025. Submitted photo
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A painting of Marc Fogel created by Tom Mosser. Mosser hosted an art show in April 2023, depicting various artists’ renditions of Fogel. Fogel was released on Feb. 11, 2025, after over three years of imprisonment. Submitted photo
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Ellen Keelan, center, and other family members rally outside the White House on July 15, 2023, for the release of Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since August 2021. Associated Press File Photo
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A sign displayed outside Malphine Fogel's home in Butler Township pleads for the release of her son Marc Fogel from Russian prison. Butler Eagle File Photo
Butler native Marc Fogel was freed from Russian captivity Tuesday, Feb. 11, after more than three years. This is a timeline of he and his family’s experience fighting for freedom.
Marc Fogel is detained by Russian authorities at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport.
Russia’s Interior Ministry releases details on the criminal case filed against Fogel. He is accused of smuggling marijuana in his luggage due to possession of around half an ounce of medical marijuana prescribed for chronic back pain.
Fogel is sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony for “large-scale cannabis smuggling.”
Members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation send U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken a letter urging President Joe Biden to include Fogel in negotiations with Russia.
A Russian court denies Fogel’s appeal for a change in sentencing, leaving his 14-year sentence intact.
Fogel is moved from Moscow to an intermediary facility before his transfer to a penal colony.
Malphine Fogel reacts with gladness and frustration after WNBA star and Russian prisoner Brittany Griner, but not Fogel, is freed in a prisoner exchange.
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passes a resolution, introduced by Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, calling for the release of numerous Americans, including Fogel, from Russian prison.
The U.S. Senate unanimously approves a resolution, introduced by Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, calling for the immediate release of Fogel.
Malphine Fogel files a lawsuit in an attempt to compel the federal government to determine if her son is being wrongfully detained in a Russian prison.
Fogel is absent in a prisoner exchange with Russia.
The U.S. Department of State files a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Malphine Fogel.
Fogel is declared “wrongfully detained” by the Department of State under Biden.
Newly elected U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., asks Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., what he will do about Fogel’s imprisonment in Russia during his Senate confirmation hearing for secretary of state under President Donald Trump. Rubio was sworn in on Jan. 21.
A bipartisan push by members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation — including McCormick, Fetterman and Kelly — send a letter Rubio urging him to bring Fogel home.
Fogel is freed from a Russian penal colony and returned to the United States.
