Kremlin freed detained former American marine. The reason is not yet known
Russia has released former American Marine Robert Gilman, who had been in a Russian prison since 2022. The decision to pardon him, according to American officials, was approved by Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," as the prisoner's health condition could have been serious, reports Reuters.
On August 11, Gilman, along with his mother Nina, was already aboard a US State Department plane, flying from Russia to Washington.
His release was preceded by insistent demands from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to the American side, called for Gilman's release during negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on July 23. The US insisted on this so that the American could receive necessary medical assistance in a timely manner.
A representative of the American authorities, who personally spoke with the released Gilman, reported that he could walk and speak independently. Earlier, his relatives and human rights defenders stated that the man had been diagnosed with dissociative stupor, and he had to receive food through a feeding tube.
During the flight, Gilman is to be examined by four doctors. After arriving in the US, he will likely be sent for treatment and rehabilitation to a specialized center in Texas.
Gilman was detained in January 2022 on the Sukhumi — Moscow train. The Russian investigation claimed that he, while intoxicated, disturbed public order and showed aggression towards a police officer.
Initially, the court sentenced him to four and a half years in a penal colony for using violence against a government official. After appeal, the term was reduced to three and a half years. However, a new case was later opened against Gilman, related to conflicts with colony staff and the investigator. In 2024, under new charges, he was sentenced to another seven years and one month of imprisonment.
Approximately a month ago, Gilman was transferred from the prison hospital in Voronezh to the psychiatric ward of a civilian clinic. His mother and a representative of the American consulate reported that they were not allowed to visit him in the hospital.
The release was the result of intense negotiations between American and Russian representatives that continued over the weekend. American officials emphasized that the US did not transfer any Russian prisoners to Russia in exchange for Gilman. They called the release a 'gesture of goodwill'.
Upon his return to the US, Gilman is expected to be met by US President's Special Representative Steve Whitkoff and Deputy National Security Advisor Sebastian Gorka.
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