An article summarized by the Associated Press:
Russia has released American military veteran Robert Gilman after more than four years in prison, following growing concerns that his health had deteriorated to the point that he was at risk of dying. Gilman, 32, was initially sentenced to 3½ years after being convicted of assaulting a police officer, but his sentence was repeatedly extended after additional accusations of assaulting prison officials. His family and advocates have disputed the charges and said he was subjected to abusive conditions while detained.
Gilman was recently hospitalized in Russia with a serious psychiatric condition, with advocates saying he had spent 47 days in a dissociative state and had become so ill that he required a feeding tube. He was reportedly handcuffed to his hospital bed and his condition was described as life-threatening. He is now being taken to a U.S. military hospital in Texas for medical and psychological treatment, where his family will reunite with him.
President Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin before Gilman's release, which he described as a humanitarian decision requiring no prisoner exchange or other concessions. Gilman's family credited Trump and Sen. Ed Markey with helping secure his freedom, while the State Department said it hopes the release will lead to the freedom of other Americans wrongfully detained in Russia.
