Doctor detained in Chechnya on suspicion of bribe-taking

A woman-therapist of the second district hospital of the village of Gvardeiskoe, Nadterechny District of Chechnya, was detained red-handed at taking a bribe. According to the local department of the FSB (Federal Security Bureau) the doctor extorted money from an elderly woman for issuing a direction to medical commission for establishing disability, a source from law enforcement bodies of Chechnya has reported.

"In the course of the check held in Gvardeiskoe, in District Hospital No. 2 of the Nadterechny District, of enforcement of the legislation on free medical care to patients, the prosecutors learned that a therapist of this medical institution was extorting a bribe from a sick woman in exchange of direction to the medical and social examination for establishing disability. This information was sent to the FSB department for examination," said a source from Chechen power agencies.

According to his story, during operative actions FSB agents detained the therapist at the moment of receiving 7000 roubles as a bribe.

A criminal case was initiated against the doctor under part 1, Article 290, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (taking money as bribe by an official). She is under threat of a fine in the sum of up to 500,000 roubles, or imprisonment for up to five years with deprivation of the right to be engaged in medical activities for up to three years more.

So far, we know nothing about the position of the detainee and her defence.

Medical institutions of the republic give rise to numerous citizens' complaints. According to some local residents, the documents needed to get a disability pension "cost" some 100-120 thousand roubles.

An official source from the local Ministry of Public Health refrained from comments on the allegations, saying only that in any ministry or agency "dishonest people may happen, ready to commit misconduct for the sake of personal benefits."