WASHINGTON—Robert Gilman, a former US Marine who had been
detained in Russia since 2022, was released Tuesday and is returning to the
United States after President Donald Trump intervened directly with his Russian
counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Trump reported that the release came after discussions with
Putin and that Russia decided to release Gilman for humanitarian reasons,
without the need for a prisoner exchange.
Gilman, 32, had been imprisoned for more than four years. He
was arrested in Russia in 2022 and later convicted on charges related to an
alleged assault on a police officer. His family disputed the charges and
maintained that his pre-existing health conditions contributed to the incident.
His condition deteriorated significantly during his time in
Russian custody. In recent weeks, concerns about his health had grown, to the
point that organizations and family members warned of the risk that he could
die if he remained detained.
After learning of his release, Trump confirmed that Gilman
was already on his way to the United States and would be received at Andrews
Air Force Base, near Washington.
The president even added a personal touch to his message: he
promised to greet him with a “big cheeseburger,” after Gilman expressed his
desire to eat one upon returning to American soil.
The release represents a new episode in negotiations between
Washington and Moscow regarding American citizens detained in Russia. Unlike
other recent cases, this time no prisoner exchange was announced.