WASHINGTON.— Russia released a U.S. military veteran on Tuesday, allowing his return to the United States after four years of what his family and U.S. officials allege was an unjust imprisonment and abusive treatment that left him on the brink of death.
Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old Massachusetts teacher and former Marine, was released after President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about his release, which according to Trump was based “primarily on humanitarian grounds.”
“We appreciate this decision and the fact that Russia did not ask for anything in return; there was no exchange,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
In recent years, the detention of Americans has become increasingly frequent in Russia. There is concern that Russia may be using U.S. citizens as bargaining chips in negotiations for the extradition of Russians convicted of crimes in the United States and Europe. Five other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia with worsening health problems, according to a press release from Global Reach, an organization working for their release.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a photograph on social media of Gilman, looking emaciated, wrapped in an American flag and surrounded by his family aboard a plane.
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“While we value this positive step, we continue to demand the immediate return of all other wrongfully detained Americans,” Rubio stated.
