US national Gilman may be pardoned — his lawyer

Lead

The lawyer representing US citizen Robert Gilman, convicted in Russia for violence against a government official, said she does not rule out that her client may be pardoned. At the same time, a Russian official suggested that Moscow could demand the release of its own citizens from US prisons in exchange for fulfilling Washington's request to free Gilman.

Coverage comparison

The reports from TASS, which is the sole source of the information in this article, present two distinct developments. One article, dated August 11, quotes Gilman's attorney Irina Brazhnikova as saying she had learned about the potential pardoning from journalists. She said it was "most likely true," but that she had not seen any documents yet.

The other article, dated August 7, quotes Konstantin Yaroshenko, a member of the Russian Civic Chamber, who discussed the possibility of a prisoner swap. Yaroshenko was commenting on an earlier report, attributed by TASS to Reuters, that the American administration had asked Russia to release Gilman. TASS does not directly confirm this request, but relays Yaroshenko's response.

The two articles together outline the case's key facts, including Gilman's detention, conviction, and subsequent sentencing developments.

Key claims

Gilman was detained on January 19, 2022, at the Voronezh train station for drunken disorderly conduct on the Sukhumi-Moscow train. During his arrest, he kicked a police officer. The court initially sentenced him to 4.5 years in a standard security penal colony. In May 2023, his sentence was shortened by one year, according to TASS.

A new criminal case was opened after Gilman refused to comply with prison routines and physically assaulted a prison officer. In the penal colony, he repeatedly struck investigators and assaulted an inspector in the pretrial detention center, where he was transferred during the investigation. In October 2024, Gilman was sentenced to 7 years and 1 month in a maximum-security penal colony, along with a fine of 300,000 rubles (over $3,600). His sentence was increased by another year in April 2025. Later that year, the Voronezh Central District Court issued additional sentences against him on charges of using force against Federal Penitentiary Service officers, as reported by TASS.

On May 5, Gilman attacked a penitentiary officer during a transfer from pretrial detention to a penal colony. Despite the attempt, he was transferred the following day to Penal Colony No. 8 in Rossosh. His frustration led him to attack another officer, resulting in an additional two years being added to his sentence.

In July 2026, Gilman's trial in Voronezh was paused due to his hospitalization for treatment. According to the Voronezh Central District Court, cited by TASS, Gilman cannot attend court hearings due to a mental disorder or another serious condition.

Regarding the potential pardon, Brazhnikova told TASS: "I have learnt about his potential pardoning from journalists. It is most likely true, but I haven't seen any documents yet." The report also notes that Reuters had earlier reported Gilman has been released for health reasons and is on his way back to the United States.

Perspectives

Attorney Irina Brazhnikova — She does not rule out a pardon for Gilman, but says she has not seen official documents confirming it. Her comments reflect a cautious, wait-and-see stance on the reported release.

Konstantin Yaroshenko (Russian Civic Chamber member) — He argues that the release of Gilman should be conditioned on the release of Russian citizens held in US prisons. He describes US charges against Russians as "fabricated and falsified" and says that "given the current aggressive US foreign policy toward Russia," Moscow should not make a goodwill gesture without reciprocal measures.