Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine held in Russia for more than four years, was released on humanitarian grounds, U.S. authorities announced Tuesday, August 11. His health had deteriorated significantly during his captivity. He left the country with his mother to return to the United States for medical treatment.
Donald Trump claimed to have secured Gilman's release after discussions with Vladimir Putin. The US president indicated he spoke with Gilman during his return flight. According to Washington officials, this release is not part of any prisoner exchange and did not involve any concessions from the United States.
A sentence increased from four and a half years to ten years
Robert Gilman was sentenced in 2022 by a court in southwestern Russia to four and a half years in prison for assaulting a police officer. His sentence was later extended to ten years following further allegations of violence against prison staff.
The U.S. State Department had recently classified his case as unjustifiably detained. His sister had publicly warned of his deteriorating health and called for his urgent release.
Washington is demanding more releases
Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed Robert Gilman's return, while affirming that the United States would continue to demand the release of other American citizens detained in Russia. He specifically cited the case of Stephen Hubbard.
This retired English teacher was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in October 2024 for "mercenary work" on behalf of Ukraine. Tried behind closed doors, he denies the charges against him. According to Marco Rubio, more than 100 American citizens detained abroad have been released since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term.
Community
Comments
Write a comment
Be the first to comment on this article.