Russia releases former US Marine reported in poor health
Russia has released former US Marine Robert Gilman, who had been detained since 2022 and was reportedly in extremely poor health, on humanitarian grounds. He was flown on a US plane towards Washington DC on Tuesday, with Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev confirming the release; his family credited President Trump with intervening to secure his freedom.
Gilman, from Massachusetts, was 28 when arrested for kicking a police officer while drunk on a train to Moscow. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said Gilman had been diagnosed roughly 50 days ago with a dissociative stupor, leaving him unresponsive and unable to eat, and that he had also been battling severe pneumonia. He was accompanied by doctors during the flight home, with a US official saying he "seems to be in good shape", and his family is awaiting his arrival at a military hospital in Texas.
In short
- Russia freed ailing ex-US Marine Robert Gilman on humanitarian grounds
- He had been jailed since 2022, reportedly gravely ill
- Family credits Trump's intervention; he's heading to a Texas hospital
Explained simply
Robert Gilman is a former US Marine from Massachusetts who was detained in Russia after an incident involving a police officer on a train to Moscow. He had been held since 2022, and his reported health problems drew concern from his family and US officials.
The United States and Russia have sometimes negotiated the release of people held in each other’s custody, including through diplomatic contacts. Such cases can involve legal proceedings as well as humanitarian concerns, particularly when a detainee is seriously ill.
Gilman’s case matters to his family and raises broader questions about how the two governments handle detainees and negotiate their return. His release also involves medical care, as he is expected to be assessed by doctors in the United States.