Kalob Byers Wayne, a 28-year-old American arrested on February 7 on drug-related charges, has been freed by Russian authorities. His release, which the Kremlin acknowledged as a goodwill gesture, came just before scheduled discussions between top Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia.
Wayne was detained at a Moscow airport for possessing a small amount of marijuana. Commenting on the development, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov told reporters that the upcoming negotiations in Saudi Arabia would focus on restoring diplomatic ties between Moscow and Washington, stating, “so certain events can be viewed in this context.”
While the scope of the talks remains uncertain, they will centre on the war in Ukraine. The US delegation includes officials appointed by President Trump to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Wayne’s arrest occurred as US and Russian negotiators were finalizing the release of Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained in Russia since August 2021 on similar charges. His detention reportedly complicated the discussions and may have delayed Fogel’s release by a few days, according to an individual familiar with the matter.
In exchange for Fogel’s release, the US freed Alexander Vinnik, who had been serving a sentence for his role in a cryptocurrency exchange linked to money laundering. However, representatives for Wayne emphasized that he was not part of any trade but was instead released unconditionally. Russian authorities were reportedly keen to clear potential obstacles with the Trump administration ahead of discussions on Ukraine.
Wayne’s case was handled by attorneys Martin De Luca and Andrew Smith, who had also worked on Fogel’s case. In a statement, they credited Trump’s diplomatic approach for securing the release of both men, saying, “Under President Trump, we are witnessing a shift in diplomatic strategy — one that prioritizes American citizens and engages directly to resolve wrongful detentions with urgency and strength.”
The Associated Press initially reported Wayne’s release, identifying him as Kalob Byers. Unlike Fogel, who endured years in a Russian prison, Wayne was freed just ten days after his arrest at Vnukovo International Airport.
Wayne had travelled to Moscow with his Russian fiancée, Naida Mambetova. Both were questioned upon arrival, but Wayne was taken into custody. His legal team stated that he had only a small quantity of medically prescribed marijuana, yet he faced charges that could have resulted in a decade-long prison sentence.
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