Russia releases former US Marine reported in poor health
Robert Gilman, who was arrested in 2022 for kicking a police officer while drunk, had reportedly been in a catatonic-like state.
A former US Marine, jailed in Russia since 2022 and said to be in very poor health, has been released.
Robert Gilman, a Massachusetts native, was set free "from detention for humanitarian reasons" and was en route to Washington, D.C., on a US aircraft Tuesday, according to Kirill Dmitriev, a special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey shared on social media that prior to his release, Gilman had been "essentially catatonic" and suffering from a "severe case of pneumonia."
Gilman was 28 when he was taken into custody for kicking a police officer while intoxicated on a train bound for Moscow.
"Approximately 50 days ago, Robert was diagnosed with a dissociative stupor - a condition where he is non-responsive and unable to interact or eat," Markey stated, noting that the specifics of Gilman's current health status remain unclear.
Reuters reported that several doctors were attending to Gilman during his journey back to the US, and a US official commented that "he seems to be in good shape."
His family is anticipating his arrival at a military hospital in Texas, as reported by CBS News, the BBC's US affiliate.
"I am so grateful to President Trump for saving my brother's life," his sister, Lexie Hudson, said in a statement. "There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action."