An amazing story about the oldest Russian citizen. Abbas Iliyev is 121. He recently had surgery that even some young people don't survive. Mr. Iliyev complained about not being able to read the Qur'an. Now he can. Our correspondent Luisa Nalgiyeva, from Nazran, Ingushetia.
Mr. Iliyev is home today, in his native village Guliyevo. His friends and family are helping him recover from the operation.
Abbas Iliyev: "Everything is OK. Everything is fine".
According to the Russian book of records, he's the oldest Russian citizen. Despite his venerable age, Abbas has always had an active lifestyle. He never sat idle and always maintained his household, until his vision seriously deteriorated. The doctors discovered the centenarian had a cataract. He almost went entirely blind.
Yusup Baysagurov, Chief Physician: "Today is the day. He's prepared, we are prepared. We'll be operating him now. We'll conduct the operation and help him recover".
That was the first operation in his life, but Mr. Iliyev said he was calm and had no doubt that everything would go smoothly and he'd be able to see again, which meant returning to his favorite chores. The greatest issue the oldest Russian citizen had with his deteriorating vision was that he couldn’t read the Qur'an. But, according to the doctors, in half an hour after the operation, he'll be able to read the Holy Book again.
The operation was a success. Minutes after it the patient already left the surgery block.
Abbas Iliyev: "I feel great. I'm happy the operation was quick and painless. I didn't feel a thing".
Ahmed Iliyev, relative: "We are happy. The operation was a success. The doctors did a good job. Indeed, a good one".
Mr. Iliyev spent a couple of days under the care of physicians. On the second day after the operation, he was able to read. But right now, Abbas Iliyev is ordered to refrain from his household chores.
Luisa Nalgiyeva, Anzor Cherkiyev Saturday Vesti
