Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman Released After Four Years in Russia/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Russia released former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman after more than four years in prison on disputed charges. The State Department said his release was humanitarian and involved no prisoner exchange or U.S. concessions. Gilman was traveling to a Texas military hospital for urgent medical and psychological care.
Quick Look
- Russia released 32-year-old American veteran Robert Gilman.
- Gilman had been detained since 2022.
- He spent more than four years in Russian custody.
- The State Department recently designated him wrongfully detained.
- His sentence had been extended to 10 years.
- Advocates say Gilman endured abuse and life-threatening conditions.
- He reportedly spent 47 days in “a dissociative stupor.”
- Gilman was hospitalized with a feeding tube and handcuffed to a bed.
- He was released on humanitarian grounds.
- No prisoner exchange or other concessions were involved.
- Gilman was being taken to a U.S. military hospital in Texas.
- His sister credited Trump and Sen. Ed Markey with helping secure his release.
- At least eight other Americans had remained in Russian custody.
- The State Department called for the release of Stephen Hubbard.
Deep Look
Russia releases former Marine Robert Gilman
WASHINGTON — Russia released American military veteran Robert Gilman after holding him for more than four years on disputed criminal charges, advocates said Tuesday.
The 32-year-old former Marine was reported to be gravely ill and at risk of dying following alleged abuse in Russian prisons.
Gilman was traveling to a U.S. military hospital in Texas, where doctors will assess and treat his physical and psychological condition.
His family flew to Texas to meet him, including his mother, who had been in Russia attempting to visit him at a hospital.
Medical and psychological treatment planned
Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer for Global Reach, said Gilman would receive comprehensive treatment after arriving in the United States.
The organization has worked to secure his release and advocate for other Americans detained abroad.
Gilman’s condition deteriorated severely before Russian authorities allowed him to leave.
Advocates say the effects of his imprisonment will require extensive medical and mental health care.
Gilman had been detained since 2022
Gilman, a teacher and Massachusetts resident, was detained in Russia in 2022.
A Russian court initially sentenced him to 3 1/2 years after convicting him of assaulting a police officer.
Authorities said the incident occurred after Gilman was removed from a train for allegedly causing a disturbance.
Gilman later faced additional charges while in prison.
Russian courts convicted him of attacking a prison inspector during a cell inspection, assaulting an investigator and attacking a guard.
In October 2024, he received a sentence of eight years and one month.
Russian authorities extended the sentence to 10 years in 2025 after convicting him of assaulting prison guards.
His family and advocates disputed the charges and said they arose from abuse and deliberate provocations by Russian authorities.
Sister credits Trump and Markey
Gilman’s sister, Lexie Hudson, credited President Donald Trump and Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts with helping obtain her brother’s freedom.
“There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action,” Hudson said.
She also thanked Markey “for leading our advocacy efforts in Congress.”
Hudson accused Russian authorities of mistreating Gilman because of his nationality and military background.
“The Russians treated my brother so badly,” Hudson said. “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?”
Release involved no exchange or concessions
The State Department said Gilman had recently been formally determined to have been wrongfully detained.
It said Russia released him on humanitarian grounds.
Gilman “was not part of an exchange, and no other concessions were provided,” the department said.
That distinguishes his release from several high-profile prisoner swaps between Washington and Moscow in recent years.
The State Department said the action should lead to the release of other Americans it considers unjustly imprisoned.
“This as a welcome step that we hope leads to the release of Americans unjustly held in Russia, such as wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard,” it said.
Advocates describe life-threatening condition
Before his departure from Russia, Gilman had reportedly spent 47 days in “a dissociative stupor,” according to Lebson.
Lebson attributed the condition to abuse Gilman experienced in prison.
Russian authorities had transferred him from a correctional facility to a civilian hospital.
At the hospital, Gilman was attached to a feeding tube and handcuffed to a bed, Lebson said.
Medical reports described his condition “as dire and life-threatening.”
The severity of those reports increased pressure on the U.S. government to intervene.
Lebson said the diplomatic effort resulted in “a unilateral humanitarian release” by Russia.
Markey says release came dangerously late
Markey had repeatedly called on the Russian and U.S. governments to cooperate in securing Gilman’s freedom.
He said Russia bore responsibility for the former Marine’s deteriorating condition and argued that his return should have occurred much earlier.
“It is a tragedy that it took Robert’s near-death condition for his case to receive the attention that it required for his release to be negotiated,” Markey said. “Throughout his detention, Robert was subjected to physical torture, forced medication, and provocations by Russian authorities. There is no doubt that his treatment by Russian authorities is the reason Robert is in this precarious state today.”
Russia did not immediately provide its account of Gilman’s health or respond to the allegations of abuse.
The Associated Press was seeking comment from Russian officials.
Other Americans remain detained in Russia
Gilman was among at least eight Americans who remained in Russian custody following a series of prisoner exchanges with the United States.
Washington and Moscow have completed several major swaps in recent years despite severe diplomatic tensions.
Gilman’s humanitarian release did not require the United States to free a Russian prisoner or provide another stated benefit.
The State Department specifically identified Stephen Hubbard as another wrongfully detained American whose release it wants Russia to authorize.
Gilman’s return may increase pressure on the administration to secure similar humanitarian action for other imprisoned Americans.
His immediate focus, however, will be treatment and recovery after more than four years in custody and a prolonged, life-threatening medical crisis.
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