Moscow has freed Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine and English teacher imprisoned in Russia, after President Vladimir Putin approved a pardon for the ailing American based on humanitarian reasons, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing U.S. officials.
Gilman’s release comes after his family had appealed to the Russian authorities for his release, warning that he was “near death” following months of alleged torture in prison. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also said to have raised Gilman’s imprisonment with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in the Philippines last month.
U.S. officials told Reuters that Gilman, who was said to be walking and talking, would be transported on a State Department plane from Russia to Washington Dulles Airport. “All things considered, he seems to be in good shape,” one official told the news agency.
Gilman will be evaluated on the flight back to the United States by four doctors, the U.S. officials said. His mother, Nina, was also on board. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and deputy national security adviser Sebastian Gorka are expected to meet them at Dulles.
After that, Gilman will be flown to a rehabilitation center in San Antonio, Texas, for medical treatment, the U.S. officials added.
