Former Marine Freed From Russian Prison After 4 Years

A former Marine who spent more than four years in a Russian prison is on his way home to the United States, bringing relief to a family that feared they might lose him forever.

Robert Gilman, 32, was released Tuesday from Russian custody where he had been held since January 2022. The former service member was working as a teacher in Russia when he was first arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer after being removed from a train. Additional charges followed during his imprisonment, eventually adding up to a 10-year sentence.

His health deteriorated sharply in recent months. Advocacy group Global Reach reported that Gilman had been in a "dissociative stupor" for 47 days, which officials attributed to abuse he suffered in prison. His mother had traveled to Russia to try to see him as his condition worsened.

The breakthrough came after diplomatic efforts at the highest levels. President Trump announced the release on social media, posting a photo of Gilman on a plane with his mother, holding an American flag. Russia agreed to free Gilman without demanding anyone in return, and the State Department confirmed no prisoner swap took place.

Senator Ed Markey, who led congressional advocacy for Gilman, acknowledged the severity of what the young man endured. "Throughout his detention, Robert was subjected to physical torture, forced medication, and provocations by Russian authorities," Markey said in a statement.

Gilman had been moved to a civilian hospital before his release. He will receive medical and psychological treatment at a U.S. military hospital once he lands at Andrews Air Force Base.

The Bright Side

While Gilman's ordeal was harrowing, his case shows that persistent advocacy can break through even the most difficult international situations. His sister Lexie Hudson credited both presidential action and bipartisan congressional support for saving her brother's life. The family's willingness to share Robert's story, combined with Global Reach's tireless work, kept pressure on officials to prioritize his case.

Gilman was arrested just weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when diplomatic relations were about to plummet. Despite those tensions, Russia ultimately agreed to release him without demanding anything in return, a rare occurrence in recent years.

Now Robert Gilman can begin the long journey of healing surrounded by family who never stopped fighting for him.