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Charges pressed against CEO of Yaroslavl-based companies supplying gas and maintaining gas equipment in house hit by explosion

The first department of the Central Office of the Investigative Committee continues an investigation opened into a crime under Part 3 of Article 238 of the RF Penal Code (conducting work or rendering services that do not meet safety standards) after a gas explosion in a residential building in the town of Yaroslavl, that killed 7 residents.

It is known that the residents of Yaroslavl get gas from OAO Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Yaroslavl, while the gas equipment installed in buildings and flats was maintained by OAO Yargazservis, the CEO of both companies was Sergei Skornyakov.

According to investigators, the last technical maintenance of the gas equipment in the said house No 11 in 6th Zheleznodorozhnaya Street was conducted by workers of OAO Yargazservis in February and March 2014 and not in full, gas stoves in 24 flats were not examined, while some of them were made in 1970 and required annual servicing. Contrary to the requirements of “Gas Use Rules…” approved by the resolution of the Russian Government of 14 April 2013 No 410, the workers of OAO Yargazservis did not make protocols when they were denied the access to gas equipment inside flats and when it was not possible to maintain the equipment. They also did not report to competent authorities about those facts. Aware about these violations and incomplete maintenance of the gas equipment, Skornyakov signed execution certificates with the building management company and continued supplying gas to the said house until the explosion on 16 February 2016.

Considering the evidence collected by the investigators, Skornyakov has been charged with a crime under Part 1 of Article 238 of the RF Penal Code (conducting works and rendering services that do not meet safety standards).

At present Skornyakov has been released on recognizance. The investigation is ongoing.

The Investigative Committee is asking all residents of Yaroslavl who has relevant information about the violations committed by the companies supplying gas and maintaining gas equipment to report it to the Yaroslavl Region Directorate of the Investigative Committee (30a Respublikanskaya Street, Yaroslavl, 150014) by phone 8(4852)20-03-43.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                              V.I. Markin