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Criminal Investigation against an entrepreneur from Yaroslavl Oblast, who transported children with disabilities, is finalized

The Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia has finalized a criminal investigation against Mr. Artur Sargsyan, an individual entrepreneur. He is accused of committing a crime prescribed in Part 1, Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (provision of services that do not meet safety requirements), in connection with the commercial transportation of passengers in violation of the rules for the operation of vehicles established by law. This criminal case was transferred to the Main Directorate of the Department for the most thorough investigation on the instruction of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

According to the investigation, during the time of vehicle's ownership, Mr. Sargsyan independently applied to the State Body with a statement on making changes to its design, providing documents confirming the ban on the use of the specified bus for commercial purposes after making changes to its design. He personally received a certificate from the traffic police about the non-compliance of the vehicle for commercial transportation. However, he provided an unlimited number of persons with services for the transportation of passengers on a reimbursable basis, ignoring the mentioned above circumstances.

On December 18, 2021, Mr. Sargsyan's bus was moving along the Kholmogory Federal highway, having the children's sports team on the bus. Several children sustained varying degrees of injury as a result of a collision between a vehicle and a trailer that had become detached from a freight vehicle. According to the investigation, the injuries could have been avoided if the vehicle had met the necessary requirements for commercial transportation.

The investigation collected a sufficient evidence base, so the criminal case was transferred for the further submission to court.

The criminal case on the accident was investigated by the Investigating Authorities of the Russian Investigative Committee for t Yaroslavl Oblast and it is also sent for resolving the issue of being transferred to court.