The Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has charged former director of Oksochi mental health care clinic located in Malaya Vishera, Novgorod Region Saygidgosen Magomedov with crimes under part 3 of article 219, part 3 of article 238, part 2 of article 143 of the RF Penal Code (fire safety breach; providing services not meeting safety standards; violation of labor protection requirements). In addition, chief safety and labor protection engineer of the facility Alexander Kulikov was charged with crimes under part 3 of article 219, part 2 of article 143 of the RF Penal Code.

Considering that Magomedov fully admitted his guilt and his condition a court has ruled to put him under house arrest.

According to investigators, Magomedov and Kulikov allowed multiple violations of fire safety. Namely, there were no evacuation routes or exits in the clinic. There were not enough round-the-clock medical posts or personnel to provide proper care about the patients. Some of the personnel did not know the routine in case of a fire, particularly how to evacuate not mobile patients. The actions had to have been practiced during special drills, but the accused had not organized them. Furthermore, violating the law, they allowed smoking in wards. All that led to the fire in the clinic on 13 September 2013, in which 37 people were killed and 4 more suffered various injuries.

The guilt of Magomedov and Kulikov is confirmed by results of many forensic expert examinations ran during a preliminary investigation, statements of witnesses, material and other evidence gathered by the investigators.

The investigators are going to declare the investigation finished in the near future and have the victims study the files.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                      V.I. Markin