The recent release of Marine veteran Robert Gilman from Russian custody, after more than four years of detention, has brought a renewed focus to the conditions and health concerns of other Americans held in Russia. Gilman's gaunt appearance upon his return has amplified the anxieties of families whose loved ones remain imprisoned and are reportedly suffering from inadequate medical treatment.
Harold Jezler, whose wife Olga has been detained in Russia since 2022, expressed concern over Gilman's condition, stating, "You just look at the pictures and the guy is not in good shape. It’s concerning for me and for all the families, I would imagine." He questioned whether dire health is a prerequisite for government action. Olga Jezler, 36, faces her own health challenges, having been diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that can cause severe pain and infertility.
Advocates highlight that several Americans are currently jailed in Russia, some grappling with significant medical problems and receiving substandard care. Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer for Global Reach, a firm advocating for detainees, stated, "These are American citizens who are innocent of violations of Russian law. They're being held in Russia because they are Americans or because they have American status, and we shouldn't need to wait for their health to be on the brink of death for there to be an urgency to bring them home."
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged concerns regarding medical care and indicated it is raising these issues with Russian authorities. The Russian Federal Penitentiary Service did not respond to requests for comment.
Paul Whelan, a Navy veteran detained for over five years on espionage charges that the U.S. deems baseless, offered perspective on the conditions. He described instances of prisoners receiving minimal medical attention, such as damaged teeth being extracted rather than repaired, and rudimentary first aid. Whelan, who was released in 2024, recalled receiving what he believed was better-than-normal care due to his high-profile status, yet still witnessed questionable medical practices, including surgical instruments dropped on the floor being returned to a tray.
"The poor conditions are part of the punishment," Whelan said. "You are supposed to get less of everything than normal citizens would get."
Historically, the medical care of prisoners in Russia has drawn scrutiny. The 2009 death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky from untreated pancreatitis and the case of Trevor Reed, a Marine veteran who experienced severe respiratory issues and a broken rib before his 2022 release, are cited examples.
Robert Gilman, a Massachusetts teacher detained since 2022 on charges of assaulting a police officer, which his family disputes, had been classified as wrongly detained by the State Department. Before his departure, Gilman was reportedly in a "dissociative stupor" for 47 days due to alleged abuse, and after being moved to a hospital, was allegedly handcuffed to a bed and on a feeding tube. Liz Richards, director of hostage advocacy and research at the Foley Foundation, suggested that Russia's decision to release Gilman might have been influenced by the risk of him dying in custody, which could have caused an international incident.
Other Americans currently detained include Chuck Zimmerman, sentenced to five years for transporting firearms discovered on his yacht, who has reportedly developed severe stomach pain. Aleksandr Antonov is said to have a traumatic brain injury, Andre Khachatoorian has an autoimmune disease, and David Barnes requires urgent dental surgery. Olga Jezler, a green card holder, was arrested in 2022 and faces charges related to CBD capsules. Her supporters are concerned about her endometriosis and the potential for inadequate treatment of an expanding ovarian growth.
In a recent letter, 16 senators urged the Secretary of State to increase efforts to secure the release of five Americans, citing Gilman's condition as a reason for heightened urgency. The Foley Foundation estimates that approximately 28 Americans are currently jailed in Russia, with about six considered wrongfully detained.