Investigation opened into patient death after doctor's punch

MOSCOW – Russian investigators have opened a criminal probe in the case of a patient who died after he was punched in the head by a doctor.

The announcement of the probe Saturday said the incident took place Dec. 29 in a hospital in Belgorod, 570 kilometers (350 miles) southwest of Moscow.

Video of the fight has attracted wide attention on the Internet and was shown on Russian state television. In it, the doctor rushes into an examination room, shouts "Why did you touch my nurse?" and punches the patient, who falls backward through a doorway, striking his head on the floor.

Russia's Investigative Committee said the victim allegedly had kicked a nurse during another procedure.