On Thursday, the Pacific Fleet Military Court ordered the jury to reconsider the criminal case on the accident on board the Nerpa submarine which claimed the lives of 20 people, an attorney of one of the defendants told RIA Novosti.
The Nerpa submarine was conducting sea trials in the Sea of Japan (the East Sea) on November 8, 2008, when its freon-based fire-extinguishing system activated. The freon gas started to displace the breathable air in the submarine. Of the 208 on board, 20 were killed and 21 were hospitalized with toxication.
Investigators brought charges against Capt. Dmitry Lavrentyev and Petty Officer Dmitry Grobov. The hearing was held behind closed doors. The Pacific Fleet Military Tribunal acquitted Lavrentyev and Grobov on October 14, 2011. On May 3, 2012, the Supreme Court reversed the decision.
"The defendants used their right to submit an appeal to the Pacific Fleet Military Court to have their case reconsidered by jurors. The court has upheld their appeal. A board of jurors will consider the criminal case," the attorney said.
The acquittal passed by the military court caused a mixed reaction amongst the public. It was reported that the relatives of the deceased were angry, while Larionov and Grobovs colleagues approved of the decision, believing that investigators had simply been looking for someone on whom to place the blame.
In March this year, Nerpa was leased by Russia to the Indian Navy for ten years.
Source: http://www.rapsinews.com/