Russia checks claims of abuse against sick soldier
Source: Reuters
(Adds quotes, details) By Denis Pinchuk and Olesya Dmitracova ST PETERSBURG/MOSCOW, Russia, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Russian military prosecutors are checking accusations 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. "He ... has no more than a month to live. To save him, his doctor said, he must have a part of his intestines 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. The military prosecutors were not immediately available for comment. Earlier, Defence Ministry spokesman Vasily Lavrenyuk said Rudakov's illness was "not linked to any outside physical impact or incorrect actions". He said Rudakov had served two years. The military say Rudakov has a long-term blood disease. "He has a serious blood disease which can be diagnosed only when it clearly manifests itself. The trigger could be a can of Coca-Cola or a runny nose," regional commander Igor Puzanov said on television. 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. Television showed pictures of demonstrators outside the hospital with banners reading "Save Roman Rudakov". "He told me the commander of his company beat him on the head and said he was simulating illness," Rudakov's friend Nikolay Zaborovtsev said on television. But Zaborovtsev said Rudakov was absolutely healthy and had wanted to serve in the army. If Rudakov had such a disease he should not have been called up in the first place and was likely not examined properly by military doctors, campaigners said.
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