Moscow police on Tuesday were searching for a man suspected of having brutally beaten and killed a 62-year-old patient during a routine visit to his doctor's office.
The incident occurred at a clinic in northeastern Moscow last week, when the victim got into a verbal altercation with a woman who was also waiting in line to see the doctor, Interfax reported Tuesday.
After seeing the doctor and returning to the reception area, investigators said, the victim was greeted by the woman and an unknown man, who struck the victim several times until he fell to the floor, Interfax cited the Investigative Committee's press service as saying.
The victim was subsequently hospitalized but never regained consciousness, and his death late Monday prompted investigators to open a criminal case on charges of serious infliction of harm resulting in death. The charge carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison.
Investigators are currently speaking with witnesses.