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Former US Marine may die in Russia; US urges release
🇵🇱 Poland /Crime & Justice

Former US Marine may die in Russia; US urges release

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman is in critical condition in Russia, facing potential death if not released.
  • Gilman is reportedly being fed through a tube and has been moved to a psychiatric facility, unable to communicate or attend court.
  • The U.S. State Department and White House are urging Moscow to release Gilman for urgent medical care in the United States.

The family of Robert Gilman fears for his life as the former U.S. Marine remains imprisoned in Russia. His sister, Lexie Hudson, expressed unprecedented fear, stating, "I am afraid for my brother more than ever since the beginning of this nightmare. I fear that if the Russians do not release him, I may never see him again. I fear he may die."

I am afraid for my brother more than ever since the beginning of this nightmare. I fear that if the Russians do not release him, I may never see him again. I fear he may die.

— Lexie HudsonRobert Gilman's sister expressed her deep concern for his well-being in a statement.

Eric Lebson of Global Reach, representing the Gilman family, informed Reuters that the former marine is currently being fed through a feeding tube. The White House and State Department have repeatedly appealed to Moscow for Gilman's release, seeking to enable him to receive urgent medical treatment in the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly raised Gilman's case with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on July 23 in Manila, though Russia's response remains unknown. "We are deeply concerned about Robert Gilman's health and continued detention," a State Department representative stated, confirming Washington's ongoing communication with Russia regarding his release.

Gilman, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August 2019 to August 2020, was detained in January 2022. Russian state media reported he kicked a police officer while intoxicated, but his father, Vladimir Gilman, disputes the charges. He was serving a sentence in a penal colony in Voronezh before being transferred in late June from a prison hospital to a psychiatric ward in a civilian facility. According to Lebson, doctors diagnosed him with a condition resembling dissociative stupor, characterized by profound immobility and unresponsiveness.

We are deeply concerned about Robert Gilman's health and continued detention.

— State Department representativeThe U.S. State Department commented on the situation regarding the detained former marine.

Gilman's condition prevents him from communicating or participating in court proceedings. Global Reach organizations report that the Russian hospital denied Gilman's mother visitation rights, despite a court order. U.S. diplomats and Gilman's Russian lawyer are also reportedly denied access. Elizabeth Richards of the Foley Foundation voiced serious concerns about his medical care, stating, "It appears he is not receiving the treatment he needs. We are very concerned about his life and safety."

It appears he is not receiving the treatment he needs. We are very concerned about his life and safety.

— Elizabeth RichardsFoley Foundation representative Elizabeth Richards raised concerns about Gilman's medical care.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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