A case was opened against a military doctor for refusing to go to war in Ukraine

The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against a military doctor for refusing to participate in hostilities in Ukraine. This was reported on Monday by lawyer and human rights defender Pavel Chikov. This is the first such case that has become known.

As Chikov writes in his Telegram channel, a graduate of the Military Medical Academy in 2022 with a specialty of “general practitioner” medical service lieutenant Denis Vasiliev has been serving in one of the military units of the Northern Fleet since the summer of last year. He submitted a report for dismissal and was submitted for early dismissal from the army, however, after the announcement of mobilization, he could not resign.

According to Chikov, the officer was offered a transfer to Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Ocean, to which he agreed. Later, however, another order was received – to leave the combat zone, which the doctor refused to carry out, as it is claimed, due to personal convictions. In the military investigation department of the Pechenga garrison, after this, a criminal case was opened against the officer under the article on failure to comply with an order during the period of mobilization), which provides for imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.

Chikov does not write whether a suspension was chosen in relation to the military mayor and at what stage the investigation is now, there are also no comments from investigative bodies.

The day before the announcement of mobilization in Russia in September of last year, emergency amendments to the Criminal Code were adopted, establishing, among other things, responsibility for crimes during wartime or during mobilization. According to the new legislation, for voluntary surrender during mobilization, martial law, wartime, armed conflict and in the conditions of hostilities there will be imprisonment of up to 10 years, for looting up to 15 years, for refusing to participate in hostilities up to 3 years , for desertion and failure to appear for conscription for up to 10 years. Criminal cases have already been initiated under various articles from those listed above.