Former US Marine's Condition Worsens in Russian Custody, Family Fears for His Life

Advocacy groups representing the family of Robert Gilman

Advocacy groups representing the family of Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine held in Russia since 2022, issued a dire warning on Thursday, stating that his health has deteriorated to a critical point. They report that Gilman, who has been in a catatonic-like state, is now reliant on tube feeding and may be at risk of death.

The groups, along with Gilman's sister, have raised concerns that he may have been subjected to torture and injected with psychoactive substances before slipping into this stupor in June. Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer of Global Reach, an advocacy group working with the family, told Fox News Digital that Gilman has been unable to eat independently for over six weeks. Late in June, he was moved from a prison medical facility to the psychiatric ward of a civilian emergency hospital in Voronezh after doctors assessed his condition as a 'dissociative stupor.'

Lebson emphasized that for the past 46 days, Gilman has been fed through a tube, and the Russian authorities have been unresponsive to urgent requests. They have also denied his mother access to him, despite a court order permitting her visit. 'She flew to Russia, and they are not allowing her to come and do what is needed to get him out of a stupor,' Lebson said. His mother and lawyer have been barred from seeing him since his transfer to the civilian hospital.

The White House and the State Department have

The White House and the State Department have urged Moscow to release Gilman so he can receive urgent medical care in the United States. Lebson noted that both the State Department and the National Security Council have been actively communicating the need for Robert's emergency release. Another advocacy group, the Foley Foundation, which has been tracking his case, echoed these concerns. Elizabeth Richards, the foundation's director of hostage advocacy and research, told Reuters, 'It doesn’t seem like he’s getting the care he needs, and we are very concerned for his life and safety.'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised Gilman's case with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a meeting in Manila on July 23. Gilman is among at least 10 Americans known to be imprisoned in Russia. The State Department expressed deep concern over his health and continued detention. His sister, Lexie Hudson, said, 'I am more afraid for my brother than I have been since this horrible nightmare started. I'm worried that I may never see him again if the Russians don't release him. I'm worried that he could die.'

Gilman, from Dracut, Massachusetts, was first arrested in January 2022 after fellow train passengers reported him for being intoxicated and disruptive while traveling from Sochi to Moscow to replace a damaged passport. He was convicted later that year of assaulting a police officer and sentenced to 3½ years in prison, though he claimed his drink had been spiked. While in custody, he faced additional convictions for altercations with prison staff and an investigator, and in December, a regional court extended his sentence to a total of 10 years.

His father, Vladimir Gilman, previously requested in Mar…

His father, Vladimir Gilman, previously requested in March 2023 that the State Department designate his son as wrongfully detained, a status that would prioritize his release. A senior administration official told Fox News Digital that President Trump’s administration is closely tracking Gilman’s case and has made repeated, concerted outreach to the Russians calling for his return to the United States.