Former Marine jailed in Russia reportedly near death
Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman, who has been imprisoned in Russia since 2022, is reportedly in critical condition after slipping into a stupor and allegedly being subjected to harsh treatment and mind-altering drugs while in custody.
Gilman, 32, was moved to a civilian hospital in Voronezh in late June after entering what was described as a “dissociative stupor,” leaving him unable to communicate and requiring food and fluids through a feeding tube. His eyes reportedly remain closed, and his condition has prevented him from appearing at court hearings.
U.S. officials have urged Russia to release Gilman so he can receive medical treatment in the United States. The Trump administration said it is closely monitoring his case and has repeatedly pressed Russian officials for his return.
Gilman’s family says they are increasingly concerned for his life. His sister, Lexie Hudson, said she fears she may never see her brother again if Russian authorities do not release him.
His mother has reportedly been prevented from visiting him at the hospital despite having a court order allowing her to see him. U.S. consular officials and Gilman’s Russian attorney have also reportedly been barred from visiting him at the hospital.
Gilman was arrested in Voronezh on Jan. 17, 2022, while traveling by train. Russian authorities accused him of kicking a police officer while intoxicated. His family has disputed the allegations, saying Gilman became ill during the incident and accidentally kicked the officer, who was not injured.
He was initially sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison. Russian state media later reported that his sentence was extended to 10 years after he allegedly assaulted prison staff. Gilman’s advocates have denied that allegation.
Advocates for Gilman say he endured extremely harsh prison conditions and was allegedly tortured and given mind-altering drugs by guards. They believe the treatment contributed to his deteriorating condition.
Gilman served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August 2019 to August 2020. His family asked the State Department in 2023 to formally designate him as wrongfully detained, a classification that would make securing his release a major U.S. government priority.
His advocates have compared the situation to that of American college student Otto Warmbier, who was released from North Korean custody in a coma in 2017 after 17 months of detention. Warmbier died days later from severe brain damage without regaining consciousness.
Gilman’s advocates say they are now urgently seeking his release before his condition becomes fatal.
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