Svoboda Clinic under criminal investigation after patient death and abuse claims

A criminal investigation has begun into the Svoboda Clinic after a patient's death and reports of abuse. Sergei Belov, the former chief physician, was placed under house arrest this week. The clinic's director, Ivan Korshunov, had already been detained two days earlier.

The case centres on a 37-year-old man who died last August. Authorities allege his death resulted from unlawful actions by Belov. Anton Sokolov, the clinic's founder, claimed the man suffered a heart attack linked to long-term alcoholism, denying any negligence.

A separate criminal probe was launched into the clinic's Sysert branch. Investigators are examining claims of illegal detention and patient abuse. In December, another patient left the facility in critical condition and was rushed to hospital. Sokolov insisted that only one death occurred at the clinic, contradicting earlier reports of multiple fatalities. He also confirmed the clinic holds a valid licence and remains under state supervision. Meanwhile, rapper Guz publicly distanced himself from the organisation following the allegations.

The prosecutor's office is now reviewing the clinic's wider operations. Belov remains under house arrest while the investigation continues. The outcome of the criminal cases could affect the future of the Svoboda Clinic network.