Kathmandu— A former US Marine, Robert Gilman, has been released from Russian detention and is returning to the United States after being held for four years, according to an announcement by former President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Gilman was arrested in January 2022 while traveling by train in Voronezh, Russia, and initially sentenced for allegedly kicking a police officer; his father later asserted the charges were false stemming from an accidental kick during illness. He is expected to land at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., Tuesday night, with Trump stating that no exchange or concessions were made to secure his release.

Details Of Gilman’s Release

Trump announced the release on Truth Social, highlighting discussions with President Vladimir Putin as instrumental in securing Gilman's freedom “on a humanitarian basis.” He emphasized Russia did not request anything in return for releasing Gilman, noting that no prisoner exchange took place. Trump said he spoke with Gilman, who requested a cheeseburger upon arrival. The former president also touted his administration’s record of bringing home Americans detained abroad, claiming to have returned hundreds of people and freed many non-Americans held in other countries.

Government Confirmation And Ongoing Efforts

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Gilman's release via X (formerly Twitter), thanking Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to facilitate the return and medical treatment for Gilman. While welcoming this development, Rubio stressed that the US continues to seek the immediate return of all other Americans unjustly detained in Russia, specifically mentioning Stephen Hubbard as a wrongful detainee. According to officials, Gilman joins over 100 Americans freed during Trump’s second term.

Background Of The Detention

Gilman served in the US Marines from August 2019 until August 2020. He was arrested in January 2022 while traveling by train approximately 550 kilometers south of Moscow, initially facing charges for allegedly kicking a police officer while intoxicated. His father, Vladimir Gilman, disputed these claims in an October 2024 op-ed published in the Boston Globe, stating his son accidentally kicked an officer after falling ill and that the initial charges were dropped. However, subsequent alleged assaults while incarcerated led to multiple extensions of his sentence, ultimately resulting in a prolonged detention exceeding four years.

Gilman is currently en route back to the United States with his mother, Nancy, and is expected to be greeted by representatives from Trump’s team at Andrews Air Force Base. The US government remains committed to securing the release of all other Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.