The situations when drunken passengers in planes or at airports behave aggressively have recently become more frequent. By their inadequate and criminal actions the so called “air rowdies” pose real hazard to health and safety of passengers and, which is most important, endanger the lives of those aboard the airliner. The Moscow Inter-Regional Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee is investigating several criminal cases over violence against representatives of the authority.
On 4 February on the basis of a pre-investigating check a criminal case was initiated against Vladimir Popov, who injured a major of police, who was just trying to stop the man’s wrongdoings at the Domodedovo airport. The Moscow Transport Investigations Directorate has launched a similar criminal case over part 1 of article 318 of the RF Criminal Code against Artyom Bondarenko, who used violence against policemen and staffers of VIP-hall at the Sheremetyevo airport. Popov was detained and his arrest is under discussion. Bondarenko is hiding and in the near future investigators are going to decide whether to announce him wanted.
In addition, based on the results of a pre-investigating check, the transport investigations bodies have launched a criminal case over signs of a crime under part 3 of article 30, paragraph “c” of part 2 of article 211 of the RF Criminal Code into attempted hijack of a plane by Sergey Kabalov on 11 January 2013 on board Kogalymavia A-320 travelling Moscow-Hurghada. Witnesses’ testimonies and video records the investigators have make it possible to conclude that Kabalov, having been drunk, deliberately committed actions aimed to hijack the aircraft aggravated by violence and threats to use violence dangerous for the lives of the crew and passengers. Kabalov’s criminal intention was not carried out on the reasons independent of him as his aggressive behavior was stopped by the crew. In connection with the fact that kabalov’s whereabouts are still unknown, it will also be decided whether to announce him wanted.
To find Kabalov and Bondarenko is only a matter of time. However, investigators offer them to show up of their own accord and give testimonies. This step will by all means be taken into account by investigators and the court.
And in conclusion I would like to warn everybody who wants to repeat such “exploits” aboard the planes, at the airports or railway stations. The Criminal Code provides for a punishment for such crimes up to 12 years in prison.
Head of Media Relations Directorate V.I. Markin
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