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Sergei Filin to undergo regular eye surgery next week

The patient underwent surgery on both eyes yesterday (Wednesday)

MOSCOW, January 24 (Itar-Tass) – Sergei Filin, the 42-year-old Bolshoi ballet artistic director, will undergo a planned operation on both eyes next Monday, Vladimir Neroyev, the chief ophthalmologist of the Russian Health Ministry, said on Thursday.

"The patient underwent surgery on both eyes yesterday (Wednesday). The operations passed without any operational or post-operational complications. The condition of the eye tissues and structures is stable. Their state has not impaired,” the doctor said. This proves that the surgical and conservative treatment has been effective and inspires hope that the patient will recover from the trauma, Neroyev added.

A masked assailant approached Filin outside his home on Troitskaya Street in Moscow on January 17, threw acid in his face and escaped. Filin was hospitalized with burns to his face, head and eyes.

Filin has been receiving constant threats in recent months.

The assailant called Filin by his name prior to the acid attack.

Filin has seriously renovated the ballet troupe over the past two years in his capacity of artistic director. He pursues a policy that allows the Bolshoi Theatre to remain one of the world’s best ballet companies.

Prosecutors have initiated criminal proceedings on charges of inflicting heavy harm to health. Doctors assume that Filin will need at least six months for full recovery.

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