An American former Marine detained in Russia for over four years has been released and was en route back to the United States, according to a statement from former President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The individual, Robert Gilman, 32, a resident of Massachusetts, was held in Voronezh after being convicted of assaulting a police officer and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Gilman’s family and the nonprofit organization Global Reach, which advocated for his release, highlighted serious concerns about his deteriorating health during his imprisonment. Reports indicated that in recent weeks he was in a “dissociative stupor,” a condition marked by unresponsiveness without an obvious physical cause. Following his transfer to a civilian hospital in Russia, calls for his release on humanitarian grounds intensified, with the U.S. State Department also urging Russia to allow his return.

According to Trump, the release followed discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Russia agreeing to free Gilman on humanitarian grounds without requesting any reciprocal concessions. Trump welcomed Gilman’s return, stating the former Marine would first arrive at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., before being transferred to a military hospital in Texas for medical evaluation and to reunite with his family.

Gilman’s family has maintained that his imprisonment was politically motivated and described his treatment as abusive. In a statement issued by Global Reach, his sister, Lexie Hudson, accused Russian authorities of targeting her brother solely because he was American and a former Marine. She expressed gratitude for his release.

Robert Gilman was born in Poland and raised in Massachusetts. His parents, who originally emigrated from Russia, reported that he traveled to Moldova in early 2022 for a teaching opportunity. However, while transiting through Russia, he fell ill. According to his father, Vladimir Gilman, while traveling on a train in Russia, Robert became ill and was taken to a local police station where an incident occurred during which he accidentally kicked a police officer.

Vladimir Gilman noted that the response to this incident was unusually severe, with Robert initially sentenced to four and a half years—a punishment the family considered disproportionate, normally warranting a fine or suspended sentence. They believe the harsh treatment was influenced by his nationality.

The case attracted attention amid broader concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals in Russia and the use of detention for political leverage. With Gilman now released, U.S. officials and his advocates hope he will receive necessary medical care and support following his years of incarceration.