Reuters: Putin grants pardon to former U.S. Marine

On August 11, Reuters reported that U.S. officials revealed Russian President Putin had approved a pardon for Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine, on humanitarian grounds.

The White House and the U.S. Department of State had repeatedly urged Russia to release the 32-year-old Gilman so he could return to the United States for medical treatment. U.S. officials stated that Kremlin aide Ushakov informed the Trump team last week that Putin agreed to sign the pardon order releasing Gilman, with consideration also given to Putin’s personal relationship with U.S. President Trump.

This release is the outcome of intensive negotiations between U.S. and Russian officials over the weekend. U.S. officials emphasized that Gilman’s release did not involve the exchange of any Russian detainees. One official commented: “This is a goodwill signal from Russia.”

Gilman was arrested in 2022 on a train in Voronezh, Russia, on charges of assaulting law enforcement officers. He was sentenced to seven years and one month in prison in 2024, with his sentence increased after an appeal.

Gilman’s lawyer stated that in late June, Gilman was transferred from a prison hospital to a local public hospital psychiatric unit, during which time he was in a state of catatonic schizophrenia, diagnosed with dissociative stupor.

The U.S. government confirmed that Gilman boarded a U.S. Department of State aircraft on August 11, departing Russia en route to Washington. A U.S. official who spoke with Gilman said he was able to walk and converse normally, adding, “Overall, his condition appears stable.” The flight was accompanied by four medical personnel throughout, and his mother, Nina, also traveled with him.

U.S. officials disclosed that Special Presidential Envoy Witkoff and Deputy National Security Advisor Sebastian Gorka will greet Gilman upon his arrival in Washington. Both had previously worked alongside Secretary of State Rubio and Jared Kushner to push for Gilman’s release. After arriving in Washington, Gilman will transfer to a rehabilitation center in San Antonio for further treatment.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873238596691972/

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