The Nerpa case was submitted to jury

04.05.2011 Pacific Fleet (PF) Court Martial submits the Nerpa case to jury, reports RIA Novosti. The accident with nuclear submarine Nerpa caused death of 20 persons. Further hearings are set on May 20.

In this manner the court has granted a motion entered by defenders of the sub's commanding officer Dmitry Lavrentiev and bilge engineer Dmitry Grobov charged of "excess of power caused grievous consequences" (clause 286/3, RF Criminal Code, provides up to 10 years of imprisonment), and "reckless homicide as a result of improper execution of professional duties" (clause 109/3, RF Criminal Code, provides up to 10 years of imprisonment) respectively.

The tragedy happened to the 3rd generation nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Nerpa on Nov 8, 2008 during trials in the Sea of Japan. Onboard firefighting system operated in one of the sub's compartments, and it started to fill up with poisonous freon gas. Three crewmen and 17 civilian experts died as a result of intoxication.

Petty Officer D. Grobov was charged of "reckless homicide of two or more persons" soon after the accident. According to investigators, that was he who activated firefighting system from a local console in the 2nd compartment without permission. The system was allegedly filled with freon admixed with poisonous carbon dichloride which caused people's death. As was earlier reported, Grobov had admitted to switching on the system.

The procuracy was about to accuse brigade commander Sergei Zakharchenko as well, but that information was not confirmed.