Court has recognized the evidence collected by the North-Western Federal District Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee sufficient to convict former head of administration of municipal district “Kortkerossky” of the Komi Republic Nikolai Livson, former head of Social Development Agency of Komi Republic Konstantin Sazhin, former CEOs of state institution Center for People’s Social Service Tatyana Koldanova and Tatyana Shevelova. Depending on the role of each, they were found guilty of crimes under articles 219, 285, 286, 293 of the RF Criminal Code (violation of fire safety rules, abuse of and exceeding official powers, negligence).
The investigation of the tragedy and its causes, which was under personal control of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, has taken more than two years. The investigators established that the Veterans Home illegally operated for more than 15 years (from 1993 to 31 January 2009) without establishing documents and duly appointed managers. Social services for the lonely elderly people were provided by employees of Center for People’s Social Service in violation of current norms of law without duly control from the management and authorities, and their immediate head – division superintendent was employed in the state institution fictitiously being such only in documents. The persons under investigation knew that the building had been constructed more than 50 years ago and did not meet present day fire safety requirements. This was fully confirmed by a construction and technical expert examination carried out during the investigation. According to all the requirements the nearest fire station should have been located within 3 kilometers from such social services facility. But it was situated 20 kilometers away.
During the investigation around 150 witnesses and victims were interviewed, 38 forensic examinations, 50 searches and seizures were carried out. Investigators forwarded 3 notices to governing and control authorities of Komi Republic on elimination of causes and conditions, contributing to the commission of crimes which were considered and satisfied.
Employees of Fire Control Department of Kortkerossky district of Komi Republic Sergey Stakhiyev, Alexander Gudyrev and Valery Oboturov were earlier prosecuted and sentenced to different terms in prison for improper discharge of their official duties entailing a fire in the Veterans home.
The court has sentenced Livson to suspended 2.5 years in prison, Sazhin - to suspended 4 years in prison, Koldanova – to suspended 4.5 years in prison, Shevelyova - to suspended 1 year in prison. Livson, Sazhin and koldanove were deprived of the right to take positions in state service and local governments for 3 years, Shevelyova – 2 years.
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