Another American hostage is expected to be freed on Wednesday — a day after Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel, who was imprisoned in Russia, returned to the US.
President Trump’s special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, confirmed the latest hostage release in an interview on Fox News Tuesday night.
“It’s another in a stream of hostages. It’ll be unilateral as well. And I can’t release [the person’s name] until the person’s released, obviously it could endanger the hostage release and that I can’t do,” Boehler told host Sean Hannity.
“But I can say that we expect another one tomorrow. And hopefully a lot more through that, because the president made it a priority to get all Americans home,” he added.
Boehler hinted that additional deals to free American hostages may be in the works.
“When you look at hostages and people that are being withheld that shouldn’t be withheld – you’re talking about 100 plus,” he told Hannity.
“There are 6000 Americans in foreign jails. That doesn’t mean everybody is innocent.”
Trump confirmed the latest diplomatic development and told reporters Tuesday night that the expected Wednesday hostage release involves “somebody very special.”
Moments later, the commander in chief met with Fogel – who had been sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison – at the White House.
Fogel, at times overcome with emotion, praised Trump and the members of his administration who helped secure his freedom.
“I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. And President Trump is a hero,” Fogel said.
“These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes,” Fogel continued. “The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor to get me home are the heroes.”
Fogel was arrested with what he claimed was legally prescribed marijuana at an airport outside Moscow in 2021.
The US State Department in October officially designated Fogel as wrongfully detained.
It was not immediately clear which or how many Russians held by the US were being released in exchange for Fogel’s freedom.
