Russia frees former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman

VORONESH, RUSSIA (NBC, KYMA) - Moscow freed former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman Tuesday who was jailed in Russia since 2022.

After Russian president Vladimir Putin approved a pardon for the ailing American based on humanitarian reasons, U.S. Officials said.

The White House and the State Department had urged Russia to release the 32 year old so he can receive medical treatment in the United States.

Gilman was being held in a prison in Voronezh, about 340 miles south of Moscow.

The exact circumstances of his health are unclear.

Gilman, who served in the U.S. Marines from August 2019 until August 2020, was traveling by train when he was arrested in January 2022 in Voronezh, officials said.

He was detained for allegedly kicking a police officer while drunk, according to Russian state media.

Robert Gilman was sentenced to 4-and a half years in jail. He was one of at least 10 Americans known to be imprisoned in Russia.

The release resulted from intense negotiations over the weekend by U.S. and Russian officials. The U.S. did not exchange any Russian prisoners in order to gain Gilman's release, the officials said.