Putin pardons US Marine Gilman released from Russian prison

Former United States Marine Robert Gilman walked out of a Russian prison on Tuesday, secured after President Vladimir Putin granted him a pardon. Government officials told the Daily Mail that he was set free for humanitarian reasons, citing his poor health as the primary factor. Kirill Dmitriev, who serves as special envoy to President Putin, confirmed the release while noting Gilman's fragile condition at the time. A State Department plane flew immediately to retrieve him and bring him home. His sister, Lexie Hudson, expressed deep gratitude in a statement released by her brother. She said there is no other reason Robert is alive today except that President Trump heard about the case and took swift action. The family now awaits his safe return for medical treatment at a military hospital in Texas. Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer of Global Reach, noted he will be reunited with loved ones upon arrival. He was sentenced in Russia back in 2019 after allegedly kicking a police officer while intoxicated on a train ride. Russian state media reported the arrest happened then before his sentence grew to three and a half years. That term was extended further when he faced new charges for assaulting guards and prison staff. Reports say Gilman fell into a dissociative stupor lasting forty-seven days, requiring constant medical attention. Last week doctors hospitalized him in serious condition, which pushed Trump officials to demand his release. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts called the detention wrongfully imposed on questionable charges. He stated that while the news is deeply welcomed, it felt long overdue for action. It remains a tragedy that Robert's near-death state was needed before his case received enough attention to negotiate freedom. Five other Americans are still detained in Russia awaiting similar resolutions. I pray that Robert can recover from this nightmare and wish him peace during these difficult days ahead.