Russia frees former US marine jailed for more than 4 years

Russia has released Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine who spent more than four years imprisoned under what the U.S. described as disputed charges and abusive conditions. Gilman, reportedly gravely ill and at risk of dying, is now on his way to a U.S. military hospital in Texas for assessment and treatment.

Gilman, 32, a teacher, had been detained since 2022. His initial 3 1/2-year sentence for allegedly beating a police officer after causing a disturbance was later extended significantly. He faced additional convictions for attacking a prison inspector, beating an investigator, and assaulting a guard, leading to a sentence of eight years and one month, which was further extended to 10 years. His sister, Lexie Hudson, credited President Donald Trump and Senator Ed Markey for his release, stating, "There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action."

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There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action.

"The Russians treated my brother so badly," Hudson added. "They hurt him for no reason, other than that he was both an American and a Marine. What did they get out of this? Why did they do this to such a wonderful person?"

The U.S. State Department confirmed Gilman's release, noting he had recently been determined to be wrongfully detained. They stated the release was on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing that "was not part of an exchange, and no other concessions were provided." The department expressed hope that this action would lead to the release of other Americans unjustly held in Russia, such as Stephen Hubbard. Before his departure, Gilman was reportedly in a "dissociative stupor" for 47 days due to alleged prison abuse, and had been moved to a civilian hospital where he was handcuffed to a bed and on a feeding tube. Hospital reports described his condition as "dire and life-threatening," prompting the U.S. government's intervention for a "unilateral humanitarian release."

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The Russians treated my brother so badly. They hurt him for no reason, other than that he was both an American and a Marine. What did they get out of this? Why did they do this to such a wonderful person?