Russia checks claims of abuse against sick soldier
Source: Reuters
ST PETERSBURG, Russia, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Russian military prosecutors are checking claims that a conscript treated in hospital became seriously ill as a result of violence or negligence by the military, media and campaigners said on Monday. Four months after an operation, Roman Rudakov, 20, remains in intensive care and needs another urgent operation, campaigners said. Itar-Tass news agency said his illness could have been caused by a blood disease, despite which he was called up to the army. "He ... has no more than a month to live. To save him, his doctor said, a part of his intestines must be transplanted," campaign group The Soldiers' Mothers Committee said. It added prosecutors were checking information that, while in the army, Rudakov was beaten and refused medical help. Earlier, defence ministry spokesman Vasily Lavrenyuk said Rudakov's illness "is not linked to any outside physical impact or incorrect actions". He said Rudakov had served two years. Instances of ill-treatment of conscripts are rife in Russia's armed forces. At least 1,000 conscripts die each year in non-combat incidents, including widespread cases of bullying and suicide.
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