Trump Rescues Tortured American Citizen Imprisoned By Russia Under Biden Administration
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Russia has freed American citizen and former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman after more than four years in custody, saying Moscow released him on humanitarian grounds without receiving another prisoner in exchange.
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“I am proud to announce that American Citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME!” Trump shared on Tuesday. “In a well known Media story, Robert was imprisoned in Russia in 2022, during the Biden Administration. After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis.”
“We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return — No exchange took place,” Trump added.
Gilman, 32, was detained in Russia in January 2022 and later convicted of assaulting a Russian police officer. Russian authorities claimed that Gilman, who had been traveling by train, was intoxicated and kicked an officer after being taken into custody.
His supporters have disputed Russia’s account, saying Gilman was severely ill at the time and was struck with a baton by police before being arrested, reportedly vomiting and collapsing. Gilman was traveling through Russia in November 2021 en route to a new teaching job in Moldova. He had previously taught English and established a teaching business in Poland. Illness and problems with a tampered passport prolonged his trip in the country.
A Russian court sentenced Gilman to 3 1/2 years in a penal colony in 2022. Russian courts subsequently convicted him of additional assaults involving prison officials and an investigator while he was incarcerated, increasing his total sentence to 10 years.
Robert Gilman returns home with his mother. Photo: Donald Trump, Truth Social.
Gilman and his advocates say he was repeatedly drugged, tortured, and forced into compulsory exercise during his imprisonment, The Daily Wire’s Kassy Akiva previously reported. He also spent six months in an extreme punishment cell.
Concerns about Gilman’s condition intensified in recent weeks as advocates warned that he could die without urgent medical treatment. They said he had developed severe pneumonia, was unable to communicate, and was being fed through a tube as he lay with his eyes shut in the psychiatric ward of a civilian hospital in Russia.
“I am very worried that, if urgent action is not taken to release Robert so he can receive urgent medical care in the United States, his condition could become permanent, or he could die in Russian custody,” Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) said earlier this month. Markey warned that Gilman’s death could cause “a situation that will further complicate an already difficult relationship” between the United States and Russia.
Trump said Gilman was traveling back to the United States with representatives of his administration and had already been reunited with his mother, who was accompanying him home. Gilman is expected to arrive in the United States Tuesday evening.
“I just spoke to him, and he had one request — A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands,” the president said. “I will take care of that!”
“During my Administration, we have prioritized bringing home Americans Detained Abroad, and have done so at a level never seen before, returning hundreds of people to their families,” Trump noted. “We have also freed many non Americans who were under capture in different countries throughout the World.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also posted about Gilman’s release, saying he joins “over 100 Americans whom President Trump has freed during his second term in office.”
“We thank Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Mr. Gilman and allowing him to receive the necessary medical treatment here in the United States,” Rubio said. “While we appreciate this positive step, we are still seeking the immediate return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard. The President will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home.”
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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