A former United States Marine, who remained detained in a Russian prison for more than four years and whose health was considered serious, has been released and returned to his country.
Donald Trump, former American president, announced the news of his release on the social network Truth Social. He reported that Robert Gilman, 32, was released after talks he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation.
Trump clarified that Gilman, who worked as a teacher, was released for humanitarian reasons, without involving any type of prisoner exchange. He was expected to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, located in Washington, D.C.
In the same publication, the former president reported having spoken to Gilman, who made him a peculiar request: “an AMAZING cheeseburger when you land. I’ll take care of it!”
So far, the Russian government has not commented on the release announcement.
Previously, a Russian court had sentenced American citizen and former Marine Robert Gilman to seven years and one month in prison. The conviction occurred for assaulting a prison officer and a state investigator, according to information from the local Public Prosecutor’s Office.
More on this story: Former boxer Prichard Colón dies aged 33 after long battle with brain injury
Approximately 50 days before his release, Gilman was diagnosed with “dissociative stupor — a condition in which he is unresponsive and unable to interact or feed,” according to a statement from Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey.
Markey, who had been actively advocating for Gilman’s release, added that “He was essentially catatonic and also suffered a severe case of pneumonia.” The senator added: “We do not yet know all the details of his current condition or the long-term impact on his recovery.”
Lexie Hudson, Robert Gilman’s sister, expressed her gratitude to former President Trump through a statement, released by Global Reach, a family support organization.
She stated: “There is no other reason Robert is alive today other than the fact that President Trump became aware of the case and took action.”
Lexie Hudson added: “I’m looking forward to seeing Robert. I haven’t been able to speak to him once since this all started. We’re going to make sure he gets the treatment and support he needs.”
Follow: all about Donald Trump
In a statement prior to his release, Lexie Hudson expressed fear that her brother would die if he was not released. “I am more scared for my brother than I have ever been since this terrible nightmare began,” she stated in the Global Reach material.
Lexie Hudson’s statements were made approximately a month after it was announced that Gilman had been hospitalized. Lawyer Irina Brazhnikova had said he was receiving treatment, although it was premature to discuss a diagnosis.
Gilman served in the Marines from August 2019 to August 2020, being detained in 2022. He was initially sentenced to three and a half years in prison for assaulting a police officer, after being removed from a train for causing a disturbance.
While serving that sentence, in October 2024, Gilman faced new charges. He was charged with assaulting a prison inspector during a cell inspection, as well as beating an investigator and attacking a guard, resulting in a new sentence of eight years and one month.
Full coverage: Latest News (EN)
His sentence was again extended to 10 years the previous year after he was found guilty of assaults on prison guards.
Gilman’s defenders in the United States claim that he was already ill at the time of his initial arrest. They also argue that during his period of incarceration, he was instigated into behavior that resulted in additional charges.
According to Senator Markey, Gilman suffered “physical torture, forced medication, and taunts by Russian authorities” throughout his detention.
Markey added: “There is no doubt that the treatment he received from Russian authorities is the reason Robert finds himself in this precarious state today.”
Robert Gilman is one of at least ten American citizens detained in Russia.