Intervention by V. Putin in Support of Eminent Greek Ophthalmologist

By intervention of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Russia, Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, is requesting to re-assess the validity of Greek ophthalmologist Christos Tachtsidis’ removal, from the management of the prominent institute “Mikrokhirurgiya Glaza” (Eye Microsurgery Center), established by Russian academic, Sviatoslav Fyodorov.

The statement was made by V. Putin, during his meeting with members of the All-Russian Popular Front, adding that “if there is a basis to consider that there were non-objective data, then additional investigation is required, and that is why I asked the prosecutor general for an independent and objective research and depending on the results we will decide accordingly”.

The case of Mr. Tachtsidis dismissal on November 17 2011 has shocked the entire scientific community of Russia, but also the Greek community, representatives of which, stood by their side from the very beginning. During a live television broadcast, on the night of the elections, Prominent pediatrician Leonid Roshal, stated he was against the dismissal and in favor of Christos Tachtsidis scientific integrity, who is also the President of Russian Ophthalmologists, characterizing Tachtsidis’ dismissal as an example of arbitrariness and incompetence on behalf of Health Minister Tatyana Golikova, and the significant electoral decline of the “United Russia” ruling party.

It is no coincidence that on November 22, under rushed conditions, Alexander Chuhraev, member of the “United Russia” parliamentary team and vice president of the Russian Duma Health Committee, was appointed in Tachtsidis’ post.

The official explanation on the dismissal was based on alleged patient complaints for “illegal business activity”; nonetheless there were major reactions and Tachtsidis himself has taken legal action, questioning the legality of his dismissal.

The Mikrokhirurgiya Glaza institute was established 25 years ago, and Christos Tachtsidis was appointed director, after the death of Sviatoslav Fyodorov.