Russia Releases Ailing Ex-US Marine Robert Gilman on Humanitarian Grounds
Russia has released Robert Gilman, a former US Marine, following intervention from the White House, citing humanitarian reasons. Gilman had been detained in Voronezh since January 2022 and was freed without a prisoner exchange. On Tuesday, he returned to Washington Dulles Airport aboard a State Department plane. During his time in custody, his health worsened considerably; in late June, he was moved from a prison hospital to a civilian emergency facility's psychiatric unit, where he was assessed as being in a 'dissociative stupor.' Details about his health are still unclear. Eric Lebson, from Global Reach, an advocacy group for Gilman’s family, provided updates on his condition. Gilman was in the Marines from August 2019 to August 2020, and his release is seen as a goodwill gesture by President Vladimir Putin.
Key facts
- Robert Gilman was released by Russia on humanitarian grounds.
- No prisoner exchange was involved in Gilman's release.
- The White House intervened for Gilman's release.
- Gilman was held in a prison in Voronezh, about 340 miles (550km) south of Moscow.
- Gilman was moved to a psychiatric ward in late June in a catatonic-like state.
- Eric Lebson of Global Reach reported Gilman's condition as 'dissociative stupor'.
- Gilman served in the US Marines from August 2019 to August 2020.
- Gilman was arrested in Voronezh in January 2022.
- Gilman was flown on a State Department plane to Washington Dulles Airport on Tuesday.
Entities
Institutions
- Global Reach
- State Department
- White House
Locations
- Russia
- Voronezh
- Moscow
- Washington Dulles Airport