Retired Michigan Teacher Released from Russian Prison
Stephen Hubbard said he only believed he was being freed when given new clothes.
By Spark News Desk · · United States
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired Michigan teacher, was released from a Russian prison on 21 October. In his first public comments since his release, he said he only believed he was being freed when he was given new clothes and led out of the prison.
Hubbard said he had been told many times before that he would be released but remained skeptical. He described his philosophy as 'seeing is believing' and 'actions speak louder than words.'
Hubbard met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on 30 October. He was one of the first public figures to speak after his release.
Why it matters
Hubbard’s release marks a rare high-profile case of a US citizen freed from Russian custody. His meeting with Trump highlights the personal dimension of international diplomatic exchanges.
Sources
- Retired Michigan teacher released from Russian prison believed he would never be freed — The Guardian
- Syrians struggle with soaring prices as crisis challenges post-Assad recovery — BBC News
Written by the Spark News Desk with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.