Advocate urges U.S. to label five detained Americans as wrongful detainees after Marine's release
Kieran Ramsey of Global Reach described the abuse suffered by Marine veteran Robert Gilman in a Russian prison and called for five other Americans held in Russia to be designated as wrongful detainees.
Global Reach’s chief investigative officer, Kieran Ramsey, recounted the severe physical and mental mistreatment endured by U.S. Marine veteran Robert Gilman after Russian police mistakenly detained him in Voronezh while he was ill and traveling to a teaching job in Moldova. After more than four years in prison, Gilman was freed following high-level diplomatic intervention that Ramsey praised, noting the role of President Donald Trump and senior officials.
Ramsey said Gilman is now recovering in a U.S. hospital with family support. The organization is also advocating for five other Americans held in Russia, specifically naming Alexander Antonov, a California businessman; David Barnes, a Texas father seeking his children; and Olga Jezler, a New York green-card holder detained over CBD oil. Ramsey argues their cases satisfy the Robert Levinson Hostage-Taking and Accountability Act, but internal State Department debates may delay a wrongful-detention designation.
Why it matters
The case highlights diplomatic challenges and human-rights concerns surrounding Americans detained abroad.
How this story developed
- Aug 6 U.S. Marine detained in Russia faces life-threatening condition, family and advocates warn
- Aug 11 President Putin granted a humanitarian pardon and Gilman was transferred to the United States.
- Aug 12 Gilman arrived at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for comprehensive care.
- Aug 13 Polish officials detained a Russian national they say was recruited by Russia’s intelligence services to assassinate a Ukrainian-American in Warsaw.
- Aug 13 Advocates reported that Gilman was in a dissociative stupor and fed through a tube, describing his condition as nearly “death’s door” before his release.
- Aug 13 The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not respond to requests for comment.
- Aug 14 Moscow court sentenced Georgy Pirogov to 23 years for spying for Poland.
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