Washington—Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman returned to the
United States after spending more than four years in custody in Russia,
following a humanitarian release facilitated by the Trump administration.
Gilman, 32, was greeted upon his arrival in the United
States by Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, and Sebastian Gorka, a U.S.
administration official.
The former serviceman had been imprisoned in Russia since
2022. His situation worsened in recent months due to a significant decline in
his health, prompting U.S. authorities to intensify diplomatic efforts to
secure his release.
The release was announced by Trump, who stated that the case
was resolved on humanitarian grounds after discussions with Russian President
Vladimir Putin. According to U.S. officials, it was not a prisoner exchange.
Gilman was arrested in Russia in 2022 and subsequently
convicted for an incident in which he was accused of assaulting a police
officer. Over time, he received further convictions related to alleged attacks
against prison staff, accumulating a sentence of up to 10 years. His family and
U.S. officials disputed the charges and denounced the conditions he faced
during his incarceration.
Upon his arrival in the United States, Gilman was
transferred to receive medical and psychological care. His case adds to
Washington's efforts to secure the release of U.S. citizens detained in Russia.