Russian authorities have released U.S. citizen Robert Gilman after four years in a Russian prison, where an advocacy group said he became gravely ill and was near death.
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A family representative says, while in prison, Gilman was subject to harsh conditions and abusive treatment where his condition worsened into “a dissociative stupor” before he was transferred out of prison to a civilian hospital in Voronezh earlier this summer.
Gilman, a marine veteran, was arrested in January 2022 and he was convicted of assaulting a police officer when he was taken off a train for causing a disturbance. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years after being convicted for attacking a prison inspector and further assaults on prison guards.
What they’re saying:
Gilman’s sister thanked President Trump who posted on Truth Social about the release saying, I am proud to announce that American Citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME!” Trump posted. “After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis.”
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Trump via Truth Social
The U.S. Department of State says Gilman was held as a wrongful detainee and his release was part of an exchange with Russia “and no other concessions were provided.”
What’s next:
Gilman will be taken to a U.S. military hospital in Texas, where he will receive medical and psychological care. Global Reach, an organization working to secure the release of Gilman and other Americans detained abroad, said his family was flown to Texas to reunite with him.
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