Russian Doctor Who Punched Patient To Death Gets Nine Years In Prison

Ilya Zelendinov attends a court hearing in Belgorod on March 23.

A Russian court has sentenced a doctor to nine years and two months in prison for fatally beating a patient.

In its March 24 ruling, the court in the southwestern city of Belgorod said Ilya Zelendinov was also banned from practicing for three years after his release from jail.

According to investigators, Zelendinov punched a 55-year-old patient in the head after a nurse complained that the patient had kicked her.

"Having an advanced medical education and experience working as a doctor, Zelendinov surely knew about the potential consequences of a punch to the head," the Investigative Committee said in a statement at the time.

Zelendinov pleaded guilty and offered apologies to the victim's relatives.

Based on reporting by Rapsinews and Interfax