Russian doctor accused of swapping anesthesia with saline during surgery
A resident physician in Vladivostok is facing trial after being charged with stealing anaesthetic during surgery. Prosecutors in Primorsky Krai have approved an indictment against the doctor, who allegedly replaced the drug with saline solution. The case has now been sent to the city's Frunzensky District Court for proceedings.
The incident took place in July 2025 at a university medical centre in Vladivostok. The accused, working in the anesthesiology department, is said to have taken a syringe containing anaesthetic and substituted it with a saline solution. The crime was later uncovered by officers from the FSB's Primorsky Krai directorate.
Prosecutors have charged the doctor under Part 2, Article 229(v) of the Russian Criminal Code. This offence covers the theft of narcotic substances by someone abusing their official position. As a precautionary measure, authorities have seized the suspect's assets, including valuables and a vehicle, valued at over 600,000 rubles.
While isolated cases of drug theft or misuse by medical staff occur in Russia, no central records track such incidents. Reports from the Interior Ministry and Roszdravnadzor indicate around 20–30 similar cases annually in medical and pharmacy settings, though exact figures for healthcare workers remain unclear.
The criminal case, along with the indictment, will now proceed in Vladivostok's Frunzensky District Court. The accused faces legal consequences for the alleged theft and misuse of medical supplies. The outcome of the trial will determine further action regarding the seized assets.
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