Preparatory hearing in the case of Odrex doctors Vitalii Rusakov and Maryna Bielotserkovska, which was once again postponed due to the sick leave of the defendant's lawyer, took place without the usual "support group". While at previous hearings people came to court with hand-drawn posters and engaged in arguments with prosecutors and the judge, this time there were only a few casual listeners in the hall, reports UNN.
Odrex doctor Vitalii Rusakov and the clinic's former oncologist Maryna Bielotserkovska are defendants in criminal proceedings under Part 1 of Article 140 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – improper performance of professional duties by a medical worker. According to the investigation, after the surgery, the medics may not have prescribed the necessary antibacterial therapy to businessman Adnan Kivan and may not have properly responded to postoperative complications, which, in the investigators' opinion, led to the development of sepsis and the patient's death.
In addition to the dragging out of the case, the court hearings are distinguished by the so-called "support group" of Rusakov. Outside listeners with posters were present at almost every hearing and during breaks engaged in verbal conflicts with prosecutors and the judge. It was precisely these arguments that the accused doctor later boasted about on his social media.
However, the last hearing went according to a completely different scenario. There were no posters, no conflicts, and no "support group" itself this time. An explanation for this was partially given during the hearing. Presiding Judge Chaplytskyi noted that the defense lawyer of Maryna Bielotserkovska reported the extension of her sick leave on the eve of the hearing. At the same time, Rusakov's lawyers let slip that they knew about the extension of the sick leave even before the start of the hearing.
"I was called and told that she had submitted... We also found out today that she extended her sick leave," stated one of Rusakov's lawyers.
Based on the logic of events, it appears that the presence of Rusakov's "support group" is only needed when the court is to consider important issues. After all, in a tense atmosphere, attention inevitably shifts from examining the materials of the criminal case to extraneous events. When it becomes clear that the hearing will end only with the setting of a new hearing date, the "support group" can be canceled.
Meanwhile, the accused Odrex doctor Vitalii Rusakov is promoting the idea of decriminalizing medical errors and calls for supporting a petition to change the rules for investigating criminal proceedings related to patient deaths.