Russia has released former US Marine Robert Gilman on humanitarian grounds after his health sharply deteriorated in prison, Reuters reports. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree pardoning the 32-year-old American, whose release followed discussions between Russian and US officials.
Gilman had been imprisoned in Russia since 2022 after being convicted of assaulting a police officer. According to the investigation, he allegedly attacked the officer while intoxicated aboard a Moscow-Sukhumi train. His father disputed that account, saying Gilman had become ill on the train, fallen and accidentally struck the officer, who was not injured.
A Russian court initially sentenced Gilman to four and a half years in prison. The sentence was later reduced to three and a half years. After his arrest, however, investigators accused him of repeatedly violating prison rules and attacking Federal Penitentiary Service officers. He was also accused of assaulting an investigator in an attempt to prevent his transfer to a penal colony in Rossosh. Eight additional criminal cases were subsequently opened against him.
Gilman's Health Deteriorated Dramatically in Prison
Gilman's condition deteriorated dramatically in recent months. At the end of June, he was transferred from a prison hospital in Voronezh to the psychiatric department of a civilian hospital. According to his relatives and human rights advocates cited by Reuters, he was in critical condition, unable to move independently and receiving nutrition through a feeding tube. He was reportedly suffering from a dissociative stupor.
US Officials Raised Issue of Gilman's Release
The issue of Gilman's release was raised during a July 23 meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The outcome of their discussion was not disclosed at the time.
Reuters now reports that Gilman was released following negotiations between Russian and US representatives. No prisoner exchange was required, with the US side describing Russia's decision as a “gesture of goodwill.”
Gilman Flies to United States for Treatment
Gilman is currently aboard a US State Department aircraft bound for Washington. His mother is travelling with him, while four doctors are monitoring his condition during the flight. After arriving in the United States, he is expected to undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation in Texas.
His release brings to an end more than four years of imprisonment in Russia, during which his legal situation became increasingly complicated and his health deteriorated severely.
