US Citizen Detained in Russia Since 2022 in Critical Condition

Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old former U.S. marine and teacher detained in Russia, is in critical condition and at risk of dying, according to his family and a statement reported by the Associated Press. Held since 2002 [sic – 2022], Gilman has spent 47 days in a “dissociative stupor” brought on by prison violence, as stated by Global Reach, the organization representing his family.

Medical Crisis in Russian Detention

Gilman has suffered from high fever and elevated blood pressure since Tuesday, according to Global Reach. The 32-year-old was moved to the psychiatric ward of a civilian hospital where he has been fitted with a feeding tube and cuffed to a hospital bed. His mother traveled to Russia several weeks ago hoping to visit him, but hospital management denied the request. Irina Brazhnikova, Gilman’s lawyer, confirmed to the Russian agency Interfax that he has remained in the civilian hospital’s psychiatric ward since early July, and defense attorneys have not received permission to meet with him.

Family and Diplomatic Appeals

Family members have expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation. “I’m scared for my brother more than ever since this horrible nightmare began,” said his sister, Lexy Hudson. “I’m scared that I’ll never see him again if the Russians don’t release him. I’m scared that he might die.” U.S. Senator Edward Markey urged Russia and the United States to work together to secure the release of the Massachusetts resident. “I am deeply concerned that if urgent action is not taken to release Robert so he can receive necessary treatment in the U.S., his condition could become irreversible or he could die in a Russian prison,” Markey stated. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the agency is deeply concerned by his health and ongoing detention, noting that the government has repeatedly raised his case with Russian authorities and requested his release on humanitarian grounds.

Legal Background and Sentencing Timeline

Gilman’s legal troubles began during a trip to Moscow. According to his relatives, police tried to calm him before arresting him after his foot accidentally touched an officer. His family states that authorities subsequently leveled a series of vague and escalating charges against him, prompting additional incidents inside the facility. Initially, Gilman received a three-and-a-half-year sentence after being convicted of beating a police officer after being pulled off a train. In October 2024, he received an additional eight-year-and-one-month sentence following convictions for attacking a prison inspector during a cell check, beating an investigator, and assaulting a guard. His sentence increased to 10 years last year after further convictions for assaulting prison guards. The Russian daily newspaper Kommersant reported that Gilman admitted guilt and apologized to the guards, explaining his actions stemmed from a desire to stay in the prison where he was already serving time rather than face transfer to another facility.

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