US ex-Marine will get 4-1/2 years in Russian penal colony for attacking police officer By Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) -Former U.S. marine Robert Gilman was sentenced to 4-1/2 years in a Russian penal colony on Tuesday for attacking a police officer whereas drunk, Russian information businesses reported.

Police hauled Gilman off a prepare in Voronezh in January, whereas he was travelling from the southern metropolis of Sochi to Moscow, after complaints from fellow passengers about his behaviour, the businesses reported, citing the prosecution.

Whereas in custody, Gilman was accused of kicking out at a police officer, leaving him with bruises.

Gilman, whose legal professionals advised the TASS information company he had come to Russia to check and acquire citizenship, advised the courtroom in Voronezh that he didn’t bear in mind the incident however had “apologised to Russia” and to the police officer.

After being discovered responsible, Gilman stated the four-and-a-half yr sentence requested by the prosecution was too strict.

Gilman’s lawyer Valeriy Ivannikov advised reporters he meant to enchantment and would ask the USA to hunt a prisoner trade.

U.S. State Division deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel stated Washington was conscious of the choice however stated he couldn’t give additional particulars citing privateness concerns.

“We proceed to insist that the Russian Federation enable constant, well timed consular entry to all (detained) U.S. residents, and we urge the Russian authorities to make sure truthful remedy to all U.S. residents detained in Russia,” Patel stated, declining to say whether or not consular entry had been granted in Gilman’s case.

Russia has sentenced a number of U.S. residents to prolonged jail phrases lately, although Gilman’s case has attracted much less consideration than most.

WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced in August to 9 years in jail after being present in possession of hashish oil vape cartridges.

Paul Whelan, one other ex-marine who additionally holds Canadian, Irish and British citizenship, is serving 16 years in jail on espionage expenses, which he denies.

However in April, former marine Trevor Reed, who was serving 9 years after being discovered responsible of violence in opposition to a police officer, was freed in a prisoner trade.

Russian officers have stated they’re in talks with Washington about attainable new prisoner exchanges. Media stories say they may contain convicted arms supplier Viktor Bout, serving a 25-year sentence in the USA, being launched again to Russia.