Photo from Truth Social

Congresswoman Lori Trahan issued a statement this afternoon to InsideLowell regarding veteran Marine Robert Gilman’s release from a Russian prison.

At the time we contacted her about the situation, which was first revealed as having a Lowell connection in Boston news reports yesterday, Gilman was still being held captive with his condition described as “dire” and “near death.”

This afternoon, the U.S. State Department announced his release, which was negotiated as a humanitarian release Monday night following a personal request from President Trump. The President posted a photo of Gilman draped in an American flag and surrounded by family and supporters.

Trahan, who is originally from Lowell and represents the city as part of the 3rd Congressional District, offered the following statement to InsideLowell:

“Robert Gilman is coming home. After more than four years in a Russian prison, a son of Lowell is finally on his way back to his country and his family. I’m relieved beyond words and I’m thinking of Robert’s mother, Nina, who traveled all the way to Russia to stand by her son and refused to give up. no family should have to endure what the Gilmans have endured. Robert’s release came only after his health collapsed under brutal prison conditions. That should never have happened. Americans remain wrongfully held in Russia and around the world, and we cannot rest until every one of them is home.”

Gilman grew up in Lowell and his family still lives in Dracut.