A St. Petersburg court is deliberating the verdict in a negligence case involving mass poisoning at the Siqueiros Consultative and Diagnostic Center (GKDC No. 1), where industrial-grade barium led to multiple deaths and injuries. The prosecution seeks five-year prison sentences for Alexander Feofanov and Elena Medvedeva, the deputy chief physician and head of department, respectively, arguing their negligence caused the tragedy. The defense counters that the defendants are not entirely at fault.

The case revolves around the use of barium sulfate as a contrast agent for stomach X-rays. While medical-grade barium sulfate is safe due to its insolubility and purity, the center had been using a cheaper, industrial-grade reagent sourced from “Neva-reaktiv,” which packaged it but did not manufacture it.

Investigations revealed that some of the barium delivered was not sulfate but toxic barium nitrate or barium fluoride. This contamination, coupled with a breakdown in oversight, led to the poisoning of patients.

The prosecution argues that Feofanova and Medvedeva failed to properly control the substances administered to patients. The defense contends that the established barium purchasing procedure predated their appointments and that they were overwhelmed with other responsibilities. They also point to a combination of factors and individuals, suggesting that closer attention from anyone in the chain could have averted the tragedy.

Victims and their families expressed outrage at the lack of apologies and demanded severe punishment for the defendants. They emphasized that their relatives sought routine check-ups, not life-threatening procedures, and viewed the deaths as murder. They also shared stories of fear and trauma inflicted on surviving family members.

Medvedeva cited her detention as the reason for the delayed condolences, offering them only in her final statement. A KDC representative stated that new management apologized promptly after the investigation began.

The court is scheduled to announce the verdict on June 20. Notably, the chief physician at the time of the poisoning and his deputy have left for the Special Military Operation, and another charged nurse attempted suicide and is unable to participate in the trial due to health reasons.