The tragic case occurred in late January after four-year-old Nikita Varenikov was admitted to hospital in his hometown of Apsheronsk, in the Krasnodar Territory, suffering from meningococcal infection, which can lead to meningitis.
His mother had earlier insisted that her child be hospitalized in the much larger city of Krasnodar, where medical facilities are reported to be much better. Local doctors prevented her from doing so.
However, during treatment in the Apsheronsk hospital, a serious complication occurred and the boy was admitted to hospital in Krasnodar in a critical condition. Doctors were forced to amputate his two legs above the knees.
Nikita's mother subsequently lodged a complaint with the local health department, accusing doctors in Apsheronsk of negligence leading to bodily harm.
The health department exonerated the doctors. However, police later launched an investigation into the incident.
The doctors could face up to four years in prison if found guilty.
