US President Donald Trump introduced that American citizen and former marine Robert Gilman has been launched from Russian custody and is on his approach again to the US, saying Russia agreed to free him on humanitarian grounds with no alternate concerned.“I’m proud to announce that American Citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME!” Trump stated in a Fact Social submit. “After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to launch him, very a lot on a Humanitarian Foundation. We respect this choice, and the truth that Russia requested for nobody in return — No alternate passed off.”Trump stated Gilman would land at Andrews Air Drive Base in Washington, DC, on Tuesday evening, the place representatives would welcome him again. He added that he had spoken to Gilman, who had one request: “A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands. I’ll care for that!”“Throughout my Administration, we’ve prioritized bringing dwelling Individuals Detained Overseas, and have completed so at a stage by no means seen earlier than, returning a whole lot of individuals to their households,” Trump stated.Gilman, 32, had been in Russian custody since 2022, when he was arrested for allegedly beating a police officer after being taken off a prepare for inflicting a disturbance. He was initially sentenced to a few years, however his sentence was prolonged a number of instances, to seven years in 2024 and later to 10 years after further convictions for assaulting jail guards.His well being deteriorated considerably throughout his detention. Eric Lebson, chief technique officer for the nonprofit World Attain, which represented Gilman’s household, stated he had been moved in June from a jail hospital to a psychiatric ward in a “dissociative stupor” on account of abuse he suffered in jail.“Reviews obtained from hospital officers conveyed Robert’s standing as dire and life-threatening,” World Attain stated in a press release. “This spurred the US authorities into motion that culminated in a unilateral humanitarian launch of Robert by the Russian authorities, for which we’re grateful.”Senator Ed Markey, whose workplace labored carefully with the household, stated Gilman was “primarily catatonic” and in addition suffered a extreme case of pneumonia. “We do not but know the total particulars of his present situation or the long-term affect on his restoration,” he stated.“I’m so grateful to President Trump for saving my brother’s life,” Gilman’s sister Lexie Hudson stated. “There isn’t any different motive that Robert is alive immediately aside from that President Trump heard concerning the case and took motion.”Trump thanked his group, together with Particular Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff, Particular Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler, Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka, and Jared Kushner.
