Russia frees ex-US marine after four years imprisonment on disputed charges

Lead

Robert Gilman, a former US Marine who had been held in a Russian prison since 2022, was released and is now on his way to a US military hospital in Texas, according to an advocacy group representing his family. The group, Global Reach, said Gilman will undergo medical and psychological assessment and treatment upon arrival. His family has flown to Texas to be with him, including his mother, who had been in Russia attempting to see him at a hospital.

Gilman, a 32-year-old teacher, was initially detained in 2022 following a disturbance on a train while he was traveling to replace his passport. He was later convicted of assault charges, with his sentence extended to 10 years.

Coverage Comparison

Fox News reported on the growing alarm over Gilman's health before his release, citing advocacy groups and his sister. The outlet detailed that Gilman had been held since 2022 and was being fed through a tube for more than 46 days after falling into what was assessed as a "dissociative stupor." Fox News also reported that the State Department and the National Security Council had urged Moscow to release Gilman for urgent medical treatment, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had raised the case with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

France 24 reported on the release itself, stating that Gilman was released on humanitarian grounds and was not part of an exchange, according to the State Department. The outlet also noted that his family credited President Donald Trump and US Sen. Ed Markey for his release, and that Gilman was among at least eight Americans held in Russian custody.

Key Claims

• Robert Gilman, a former US Marine and teacher, was detained in Russia in 2022 after a disturbance on a train while traveling to replace his passport.
• His sentence was extended to 10 years after he was convicted of assaulting prison guards, according to reports from both outlets.
• Advocacy groups, including Global Reach, reported that Gilman had been fed through a tube for over 46 days due to a dissociative stupor, and his mother was barred from seeing him.
• Fox News reported that the State Department and the National Security Council had urged Moscow to release Gilman for urgent medical treatment, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the case with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
• France 24 reported that the State Department stated Gilman's release was on humanitarian grounds and not part of an exchange.
• Gilman's sister credited President Trump and Sen. Ed Markey for his release, according to France 24.

Perspectives

Gilman's family and advocacy groups

Gilman's sister, Lexie Hudson, thanked President Trump and Sen. Markey, saying, "There is no other reason that Robert is alive today other than that President Trump heard about the case and took action." She also expressed anguish over her brother's treatment, questioning why the Russians "hurt him for no reason." Advocacy groups had previously raised concerns about his health and alleged mistreatment.

US State Department

The State Department said Gilman was released on humanitarian grounds and that his release was not part of an exchange, with no other concessions made.