Russia releases former US soldier Gilman on "humanitarian grounds"
Washington had previously called on Moscow to release the American citizen so that he could receive treatment in his homeland.
The Russian government has released Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old former American marine serving a sentence in a Voronezh colony. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Gilman on "humanitarian grounds," Reuters reported. Washington had previously urged Moscow to release the American citizen so he could receive treatment in his homeland.
Gilman's family was deeply concerned about his condition, as he had complained of torture and mind-altering drugs. According to relatives, Gilman had been suffering from depression since June and had been fed through a tube. His sister suspected that her brother might be on the verge of death.
According to Reuters sources, on August 11, Gilman was on board a State Department plane that was supposed to take him to Washington. One of the agency's interlocutors confirmed that he had seen the former prisoner and that he was walking and talking.
Gilman's Russian lawyer, Irina Brazhnikova, told Interfax that she had no information about his possible release, but did not rule it out. "I don't know anything, but it is very likely. No one has informed me yet. According to my information, he remains in the hospital (Gilman was transferred to the psychiatric ward of the civilian hospital in early July) and I am still not allowed to see him," she said.
Gilman's release was later confirmed by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriyev and US President Donald Trump.
Robert Gilman, 32, is one of at least ten Americans being held in Russia. He was arrested in January 2022 after a confrontation with a police officer in the Russian city of Voronezh. The Russian authorities accused him of assaulting a police officer. He was initially sentenced to 4.5 years in prison. He was later charged with assaulting correctional facility staff, and the total sentence was increased to approximately 10 years.