US citizen detained in Russia released following Trump-Putin meeting

A US citizen who was being held in Russia has been released. US President Donald Trump announced that US citizen Robert Gilman, who was detained in Russia, has been released as a result of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement on his social media account, Trump said, "I am proud to announce that US citizen Robert Gilman, a former US Marine, will be returning home. As noted in widely reported news, Robert was arrested in Russia in 2022, during the Biden administration."

Stating that Russia agreed to release Gilman entirely on humanitarian grounds as a result of his discussions with Putin, Trump said, "We appreciate this decision and the fact that Russia did not request anyone in return. No exchange took place. Robert will land at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC tonight, and my representatives will meet Robert there."

Expressing that he spoke with Gilman on the phone, Trump said, "During my administration, we have made it our priority to bring home Americans held abroad, and we have done so at an unprecedented level, reuniting hundreds of people with their families. We have also rescued many foreign nationals held captive in various countries around the world. Robert Gilman has reunited with his wonderful mother, Nancy, who is on the plane with him, and he will soon see all his loved ones."

Trump thanked Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler for their roles in Gilman's release.

Gilman had been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison

Gilman was arrested in January 2022 while traveling by train in the Russian city of Voronezh. According to the Russian press, Gilman was detained on allegations of kicking a police officer while intoxicated. The police officer was not injured in the incident and withdrew the charges, but Gilman was still sentenced to 4.5 years in prison.

News Source: İHA