American school teacher Marc Fogel, imprisoned in Russia in 2021 for carrying medical cannabis, was released Tuesday as part of a prisoner exchange deal that would see the US release Alexander Vinnik.
Co-founder of Bitcoin exchange BTC-e, the Russian citizen is detained on money laundering charges.
Vinnik, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, was set for sentencing in June. He has been in US custody in California and will now return to Russia.
According to US authorities, Vinnik’s exchange was used by cybercriminals for ransomware extortions, identity theft and trafficking drugs.
Welcoming Fogel at the White House, President Donald Trump called the exchange a “fair deal.”
Meanwhile, the Kremlin called the agreement a step toward rebuilding trust despite ongoing tension.