MOSCOW, September 13 - RAPSI. The defense team representing Mixed Martial Arts champion Rasul Mirzayev, who is accused of having caused the death of a 19-year-old university student in a brawl, demands that the doctors who rendered medical aid to the student be brought to responsibility, defense attorney Alexei Grebenskoy told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) Thursday.
He said that investigators have refused to initiate a criminal case regarding the doctors in the case materials regarding the artist.
"But the refusal is from last November. In July this year, the expert analysis concluded that there were a series of failures to render timely medical aid. This was not looked into any further and therefore I decided to take the matter to the Main Investigative Department," Grebenskoy said.
The attorney said that the medical staff at the Pirogov First City Hospital, where Agafonov was treated, should be brought to responsibility, not only for negligence, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison, but for forgery as well, which is punishable by up to four years.
Mirzayev was initially charged with intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm resulting in the death of 19-year-old student Ivan Agafonov. The student was taken to hospital, where he died several days later without regaining consciousness. The defense has insisted on reclassifying the charges against the martial artist, asserting that Agafonov died as a result of hitting the ground, as opposed to Mirzayev's blow. Mirzayev faces up to 15 years in prison.
Prior to his arrest, Mirzayev had been widely regarded as a promising MMA fighter. He was undefeated in the ring and two of his five victories were won by knockout punches. On August 16, 2011, between the incident and his arrest, Mirzayev made headlines throughout the MMA world for having signed a professional multi-fight contract with sponsor Bellator Fighting Championships.
The next hearing of the Moscow Zamoskvoretsky District Court will be held on September 17.
