Euthanasia is a taboo subject in Russia, but it is being increasingly brought out of the shadows as some say that not enough consideration is given to the terminally ill and advocate the legalisation of mercy killing.

The problem has recently been highlighted by the case of a man in Sverdlovsk region, who's been jailed for murder after committing what he called the mercy killing of his chronically ill wife. She was paralysed and there was no chance of recovery.

A family friend says that husband Oleg was by Svetlana’s side night and day.

In hospital Svetlana didn't get enough medical help. She had bed sores and finally left the ward with an infection, adding to her suffering

“My friend was left alone with his tragedy. His wife needed special care and no-one explained him what to do or helped him. He would spend nights without sleep by her side and then go to his work. All his money was spent on medicine,” said the friend.

Svetlana's husband claimed in court he strangled her to save her from unbearable pain. Now, Oleg is serving a ten-year sentence for murder.

Svetlana's death is one of the few cases in Russia in which the issue of euthanasia has been aired in court.

Those who want mercy killing legalised in the country say the issue gets very little attention

“A proposal to legalise euthanasia was discussed last year in the Senate, but it died out. Of course it's easier to close your eyes to the problem instead of looking at the very ill people,” said Aleksandr Saversky, head of a non-profit organization seeking to protect the rights of patients.

A disabled person gets a monthly pension of around $US150, while a relative who cares for the disabled gets $US 50.

Roman Lichinitser, deputy director of an oncology centre says there’s a lack of hospitals specialising in the relief of chronic pain in Russia: “We do not have enough nurses to care for the disabled.”

This year the government has allocated over $US 1 billion to provide drugs free of charge to those in need and this will be boosted by 24 per cent more next year.

Yet doctors who oppose euthanasia say money should be also spent on treating ill people with depression.

“Even discussing euthanasia leads to the worsening of help to ill people. It is dangerous, especially in Russia. The attitude of society to the disabled is negative,” said  Lichinitser.

Unlike Europe and the U.S. Russia has yet to hold a major debate on euthanasia.

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