Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old Massachusetts teacher and former Marine, was freed from Russia after four years of what his family and U.S. officials allege was wrongful incarceration and abusive treatment that left him near death.

Background

Gilman was detained in 2022 on charges of beating a police officer after being taken off a train for causing a disturbance. He was convicted and handed a 3.5-year sentence. His sentence was extended in December to 10 years after he was found guilty of assaulting prison guards.

Russian media reported that he pleaded guilty to the charges and apologized to the guards he was charged with assaulting. However, Gilman’s father has disputed the charges against his son, while the State Department has said the U.S. determined that Gilman was wrongfully detained.

Release and Reaction

President Donald Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Gilman’s release, which Trump said was “very much on a Humanitarian Basis.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a photo on social media of a gaunt-looking Gilman draped in an American flag and surrounded by his family aboard an airplane.

Gilman will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland outside of Washington and will be medically and psychologically assessed and treated at a military hospital in Texas.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.