Russia releases former US Marine after four years in detention

Russia released former US Marine Robert Gilman on Tuesday after more than four years of imprisonment. The release was granted on humanitarian grounds, with US officials describing his physical and mental state as critical and life-threatening. Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer at Global Reach, an organisation that campaigned for Gilman's release, confirmed he is en route to a US military hospital in Texas for evaluation and treatment. His family, including his mother, have travelled to Texas to meet him. Gilman, a 32-year-old teacher, had been in detention since 2022. He was initially sentenced to three-and-a-half years for assaulting a police officer after being removed from a train for disorderly conduct. His sentence was subsequently extended multiple times following further allegations of assaulting prison staff, reaching ten years in total by last year. The US State Department confirmed that Gilman had recently been designated as 'wrongfully detained' and stated that his release was not part of a prisoner swap, nor were any concessions made. The department welcomed the move and called for the release of other Americans held in Russia, including Stephen Hubbard. Lebson stated that prior to his departure, Gilman had spent 47 days in a 'dissociative state' following alleged mistreatment. He reported that Gilman had been moved to a civilian hospital where he was kept in restraints and fed via a tube. Russian authorities ultimately agreed to the humanitarian release after hospital reports described his condition as life-threatening. Gilman’s sister, Lexi Hudson, credited President Donald Trump and Senator Ed Markey for their roles in securing his release, stating that Trump’s intervention was the primary reason her brother is alive. Senator Markey blamed Russian authorities for Gilman's deteriorating health, alleging he was subjected to torture and forced medication. Gilman was one of at least eight Americans who remained in Russian custody following previous high-profile prisoner exchanges.