Attorneys at Latham & Watkins win asylum for a Chechen doctor whose life was threatened by both Russian soldiers and Chechen rebels.

For refusing to compromise his Hippocratic Oath, Dr. Baiev, a Chechen surgeon committed to saving the lives of all individuals in his care, was forced to flee and seek asylum in the United States. Because he rendered medical assistance to both Russian soldiers and Chechen rebels, both sides accused him of treason, bombed his hospital and attempted to kill him on numerous occasions. With the assistance of Physicians of Human Rights, he was able to flee and enter the United States. Dr. Baiev was accepted by Human Rights First’ Asylum Representation Program and his case was placed with probono attorneys, Steven Schulman and Wendy Atrokhov from the law firm of Latham & Watkins. With the diligent work of Mr. Schulman and Ms. Atrokhov, Dr. Baiev’s asylum claim was successfully expedited and granted in July 2000. With the assistance of his probono attorneys, Dr. Baiev has since been reunited with his wife and children.