Family of Former U.S. Marine Imprisoned in Russia Warns He Is ‘Near Death’ After Alleged Torture
Relatives of Robert Gilman and an advocacy group are appealing to Russian authorities for his release due to medical reasons.
U.S. Marine Robert Gilman, 32, has been released from a Russian prison, reportedly due to humanitarian reasons, according to Reuters citing U.S. officials. Gilman, who is considered ailing, was allegedly tortured in prison, leading his family to warn he was "near death." President Vladimir Putin approved the pardon, and his release occurred after his family appealed to Russian authorities.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed Gilman's case during a meeting in the Philippines. U.S. officials informed Reuters that Gilman, currently walking and talking, would be flown back to Washington Dulles Airport on a State Department plane. He will undergo evaluation by four doctors during the flight.
His mother, Nina, and other U.S. officials, including Steve Witkoff and Sebastian Gorka, are expected to meet him upon arrival. Gilman was initially arrested in January 2022 for assaulting a police officer and later sentenced to two years in prison. In December, an additional eight-year sentence was handed down for allegedly attacking prison guards.
His condition has reportedly worsened, with reports of him slipping into a dissociative stupor and being fed through a feeding tube.
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