Lyubov Gorbatova, the former rector of Russia's Northern State Medical University, has petitioned President Vladimir Putin for a pardon from prison, the news outlet Gazeta.ru reported.
In her appeal, Gorbatova said she considered herself innocent and had acted solely in the interests of the university and its staff. She said she had conscientiously carried out her duties and had always tried to obey Russia's laws, adding that she had no self-interested motives and had not stolen any funds.
Gorbatova also referred to her awards and certificates of merit in the letter. She said her health and that of her husband had significantly worsened since she was imprisoned, and she asked Putin to pardon her and release her from custody, saying she was hoping for his mercy and sense of justice.
Northern State Medical University
The Northern State Medical University, known by its Russian abbreviation SGMU, is based in the northern city of Arkhangelsk and trains doctors and medical staff for Russia's northern regions. Gorbatova served as its rector before her prosecution.
Her petition for clemency was backed by the pardon commission of the Vologda region, as well as by church and public organizations. More than 2,000 colleagues, former students and supporters also supported her request.
The embezzlement case
In 2024, Gorbatova signed a contract with a lawyer to provide legal advice to SGMU staff who were being questioned as witnesses in a separate fraud case. A court in Arkhangelsk ruled that the payment for these services amounted to embezzlement of 1.3 million rubles. On 6 February 2026, the court sentenced her to two years in a penal colony.
Similar case in Moscow
It was previously reported that officers of Russia's Interior Ministry were carrying out checks into several allegations against Grigory Zaslavsky, the former rector of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts, known as GITIS.
