Trial of Private Popov, accused of desertion, suspended because of his illness

Today, the Saratov Garrison Military Court suspended consideration of the criminal case against soldier Andrei Popov, accused of desertion, who had earlier claimed that he had been kept in slavery Dagestan. At present, Andrei Popov is in hospital after undergoing of three operations.

Andrei Bessonov, the defendant's lawyer, reported that on January 25 and 26, at the Ershov Central District Hospital of the Saratov Region Andrei Popov underwent two operations in the gastrointestinal tract. Earlier, on November 30, 2011, at the 354th District Military Clinical Hospital, the defendant underwent the first operation in that area.

"To suspend the criminal proceedings on the case against Andrei Popov until his recovery," Judge Igor Surovtsev announced today his decision, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

According to Svetlana Popova, the defendant's sister, on Thursday, January 26, Andrei got bleeding. "He was again placed on the operating table. The operation was successful. Doctors estimate the Andrei's health status as satisfactory. At present, he is in resuscitation ward, and his family members are with him," the "Interfax" quotes Svetlana Popova as saying.

According to doctors from the Ershov Central District Hospital, Andrei Popov is in the intensive care unit. "The patient has got extensive adhesive obstruction. As a result, a complete barrier to the promotion of food products takes place," his doctor said.

According to the doctor, it is possible that those attacks of the decease will recur, and the recovery of Andrei Popov is still far, the Saratov city portal "Rodnoi Gorod" (Hometown) reports.