The investigating bodies of the Russia’s Investigative Committee for the Smolensk Region have launched a criminal investigation in crimes under paragraphs “a”, “f” of part 2 of article 105 of the RF Penal Code (murder of two or more people committed in generally dangerous way), part 2 of article 167 (deliberate damage of property by arson).
According to investigators the fire killed a nurse and two patients. The fire started in a ward in surgical wing. One of the patients, born in 1958, acted inadequately at night: he walked around the department holding an object that looked like a knife and threatened with it to medical personnel and patients. After that he locked himself up in one of surgical wards, blocked the door and set fire to things inside. The doctor on call tried to knock out the door and take the man out the burning ward, but the latter started fighting back and caused the doctor minor injuries.
By now the suspect has been detained. Restraint is going to be decided soon. Forensic psychiatric evaluation of the man is under discussion. The investigators of the regional office of the Investigative Committee continue operations at the scene. They are examining the scene, questioning the eye-witnesses and carry on other operations necessary to find out all the circumstances of the crime. During the probe the investigators are going to classify the actions of the personnel in charge fire security at the hospital and measures taken to evacuate the staff and patients during the fire. The investigation is ongoing.
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