Russia has freed a former U.S. Marine, who spent over four years behind bars, after President Vladimir Putin gave him a humanitarian pardon at the request of the U.S. President Donald Trump.
Robert Gilman, 32, was arrested in the Russian city of Voronezh in January 2022, after being charged with assaulting a police officer while intoxicated. He received a four and one-half year prison term; however, Gilman’s family has maintained that he did not commit any such offence.
Gilman’s situation continued to worsen as he experienced significant decline in his physical and mental health while detained within the Russian prison system.
In late June, he was moved from a prison hospital to a civil psychiatric ward where doctors reported he entered into a nearly catatonic state.
The doctors diagnosed him as having “a dissociative stupor,” which prompted both the U.S. government and his family to urge the Russian government to allow him to be sent to the U.S., so he may receive appropriate care.
On Tuesday, Trump announced that Russia would free Gilman, stating that he had made contact with Putin regarding this specific case.
The U.S. president stated that Russia agreed to release Gilman based upon humanitarian concerns and also expressed gratitude for Gilman’s safe return to the U.S.
Gilman had already boarded a plane operated by the U.S. State Department, headed towards Washington D.C., prior to U.S. officials confirming his release.
It was anticipated that the former Marine will receive medical and psychological treatment once he returns to his home country.
This release is particularly noteworthy because it wasn’t a part of any prisoner exchange and Russia didn’t ask for anything in return.
2026-08-11 22:29:00
