(WASHINGTON) – A former United States Marine held in Russia for more than four years has been released after the Kremlin granted a pardon on humanitarian grounds, though advocates and family members say his health deteriorated from abuse, torture and being drugged.
Robert Gilman, 32, is now travelling to a military hospital in Texas where he will undergo medical and psychological examinations and receive treatment. US officials say he is in very poor health.
The release came days after Gilman’s family warned that he was close to death. The White House and the State Department had called on Moscow to free him so he could receive medical care in the United States.
Gilman was working as a teacher in Russia when he was arrested four years ago, accused of assaulting a police officer. He was imprisoned in 2022 during the Biden administration.
Donald Trump said the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin agreed to release Gilman without a prisoner exchange. He claimed the former Marine made only one request upon his return.
“I just spoke with him, and he had one request, a great cheeseburger when he lands. I will take care of that,” Trump said.
Trump added that Gilman was reunited with his mother Nancy, who accompanied him on the flight.
Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer at Global Reach, a group working to secure the release of Americans detained abroad, confirmed the veteran is heading to a military hospital in Texas for treatment.
Investigative journalist Craig Unger, author of “American Kompromat” and “House of Trump, House of Putin”, suggested the release may be part of a calculated Russian strategy rather than simple goodwill.
“I think it’s more than just goodwill. Here in New York we have something called the favour bank. I’m going to do you a really big favour and I’m asking nothing in return for now, but in the long run you owe me and you owe me big time,” Unger told DW News.
Unger noted that Trump has been facing political difficulties, including falling poll numbers ahead of midterm elections, and that the release could be presented as a diplomatic victory.
“The framing of this is much more important. This can be sold as a win for Trump. He looks good. He’s gotten a favour out of Putin. And it’s at a time when he desperately needs it,” Unger said.
Unger, who has researched Trump’s relations with Russia for years, argued that Russian interests have helped Trump repeatedly over decades. He cited the case of David Bogatin, who he said purchased five condos in Trump Tower for six million dollars in cash in 1984, money Unger claims was tied to the Russian mafia.
Unger alleges that over subsequent decades, more than one billion dollars was laundered through Trump real estate. He also said he found at least 13 members of the Russian mafia or oligarchs who owned condos or were living in Trump Tower.
“If you looked into Trump Tower itself, I found at least 13 members of the Russian mafia or oligarchs who own condos or were living in Trump Tower. When you understand also that the Russian mafia really works hand in hand with Russian intelligence, this becomes just an extraordinary breach of national security,” Unger said.
Unger said Trump first travelled to Moscow in 1987, a trip he claims was arranged by Intourist, which he described as a longtime front for the KGB.
“When Trump came back he immediately began assailing NATO as he’s done for 40 years, and destroying NATO is something that Putin would love to see happen,” Unger said.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Unger said Trump has not pressured the Russian dictator to end the conflict. He noted that Trump has withheld previously promised military aid and postponed authorised funds until after his term ends in 2029.
“He has reneged on America’s promises. I believe there was 400 million dollars in aid. He withheld. He had promised to bring Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but he’s reneged on that promise as well,” Unger said.
Unger expressed concern that the Kremlin may call in this favour at a critical moment.
“The most important thing going on now is the Ukraine war. Trump is on the brink of destroying NATO. That would be a grand slam home run for Putin if he were able to get Trump to do that formally. And we’re teetering on the edge of that right now,” Unger said.
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