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In Saint-Petersburg criminal investigation launched after woman, who survived Leningrad siege dies at police station

Saint-Petersburg investigating bodies of the Russia’s Investigative Committee have launched an investigation into the death of an 81-year-old woman at a police station. The case was opened over a crime under part 1 of article 109 of the RF Penal Code (reckless homicide).

According to investigators, in the afternoon of 3 February 2015, the 81-year-old woman was brought at Kronshtadt District Police Station of the Russian Ministry of the Interior on suspicion of stealing three packs of butter. At the police station the woman complained about feeling unwell and police officered called an ambulance. However, doctors could do noting and the woman died. The cause of her death will be determined by a forensic medical examination.

The investigators are going to find weather supermarket staff were acting legally when suspected an elderly woman, a survivor of the Leningrad siege of stealing butter and called the police. We will also find out if it was necessary to bring the woman at the police station and the way she was treated there before the ambulance arrived.

Following the probe the investigators will give the toughest possible legal assessment to actions of all people guilty of woman’s death.

Head of Media Relations                                                                                                                                 V.I. Markin