The investigation into torture in a Rostov prison hospital has been reopened

The Investigative Committee has reopened the investigation into the abuse of power by employees of the Rostov prison hospital, which was suspended in the winter due to the failure to identify suspects.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," in January 2024, a court sentenced the former deputy head of the Federal Penitentiary Service's tuberculosis hospital, Alexander Lyakh, to seven and a half years in prison, finding him guilty of organizing the torture of patients. The head of the psychiatric department, Daria Pozdnyakova, received six years, and psychiatrist Anastasia Potorochina received five years. The defendants demanded that the sentences be overturned, maintaining their innocence, but the regional court  upheld them . Subsequently, another case of torture in the Rostov prison hospital was opened, but investigators  failed to identify any suspects  and closed the investigation. Oleg Sokurenko, a lawyer for several victims in the case of torture in the Rostov prison hospital, appealed the termination of the investigation. The torture victims themselves  have no hope that the perpetrators will be punished.

Sixty-two victims testified against hospital doctors, according to a "Caucasian Knot" report, " The Case of Torture of Prisoners in a Rostov Hospital ."

The Investigative Committee has reopened a criminal investigation into abuse of power by staff at Rostov Prison Hospital MOTB-19, 161.ru reported on October 11.

The decision to resume the preliminary investigation, cited by the publication, states that it was resumed "in connection with the need to conduct investigative and procedural actions in the criminal case aimed at solving the crimes."

According to a law enforcement source, the Investigative Committee's decision could have been influenced by media coverage.

In February, the former deputy head of the hospital, Alexander Lyakh, signed a military contract and left the colony. 

The hospital's chief physician, Tigran Mkrtchyan, was sentenced to two years in prison , having been found guilty of negligence resulting in the death of inmate Dmitry Baksheev. He was released on parole on September 18, surprising lawyer Oleg Sokurenko, who is assisting the victims.

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/416243