US demands immediate release of former Marine from Russian prison
US authorities are seeking the emergency release of former Marine Robert Gilman, whose condition has sharply deteriorated in Russian custody. The American is wanted back home for urgent medical care.
According to organizations representing the Gilman family’s interests, he has been unable to eat on his own for more than six weeks and is being fed through a tube. The man is in a hospital in Voronezh in a condition described by his representatives as a dissociative stupor.
Eric Lebson, a representative of the human rights organization Global Reach, reported that Gilman’s mother and lawyer have been unable to meet with him since he was transferred to a civilian hospital. According to him, the woman was denied access to her son even after she traveled to Russia.
The US State Department stated it is deeply concerned about the American’s condition and his continued detention. Washington urged the Russian authorities to release Gilman so that he can receive the necessary treatment in the United States.
The former Marine’s family argues that prior to his sharp deterioration, he may have been subjected to violence and given unknown drugs that affect consciousness. Russian authorities have not publicly commented on these assertions, making independent verification impossible at this time.
Gilman was detained in Russia in January 2022 after a conflict during a train trip from Sochi to Moscow. A Russian court later found him guilty of assaulting a police officer. The American himself said that before the incident, an unknown substance may have been slipped into his drink.
Subsequently, Gilman’s prison term was extended multiple times following new charges of assaulting prison staff and an investigator. According to reports by Russian state media, his total sentence has reached ten years.
Family representatives claim the conflicts in detention may have been provoked. The James Foley Foundation, which assists Americans held abroad, classifies Gilman as wrongfully detained.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the issue of his release during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on July 23. Gilman remains one of several US citizens held in Russian prisons.
Based on materials from: Fox News, James Foley Foundation
