Chelyabinsk taxi driver says he reconciled with doctor

On February 4, the Central District Court of Chelyabinsk placed a 34-year-old taxi driver under house arrest for two months. The man caused a scandal at a medical clinic, threatening a doctor with violence.

The defendant is a native of Tajikistan and holds dual citizenship. He received his Russian passport three years ago. He came to the clinic with his child for a checkup.

After the visit, the taxi driver launched a foul-mouthed tirade, promising to beat and even kill the doctor. The conflict was captured on video, which later spread on messaging apps.

In court, the man stated that the incident is resolved. «The reconciliation with the doctor took place at the Investigative Committee,» he said in a video published by 31 Channel. «We hugged. He approached me, apologized, and I apologized too. I have no complaints against him, and he has none against me. I don’t know what else to say. The respected investigator says, “like some kind of pressure…” There will be no pressure from my side.»

The prosecution requested that the accused be held in a pre-trial detention center for two months, but the court chose house arrest until April 2. The man is forbidden from communicating with anyone except close relatives, defense lawyers, investigators, and medical personnel. He is also prohibited from using communication devices, except to call emergency services.

The taxi driver has been charged under Article 213, Part 1, Item a of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — hooliganism with a threat of violence. The penalty ranges from a fine of 300,000 to 500,000 rubles (approximately $3,500 to $5,900 at current rates) to imprisonment for up to five years.

The criminal case was opened after the video of the threats went viral. Law enforcement arrested the man and brought him to the Investigative Committee.