Jury for the Nerpa case is being formed

24.05.2011 Pacific Fleet (PF) Court Martial forms a jury to proceed in the criminal case on the Nerpa accident, reported RIA Novosti referring to the court's representative. Twenty persons died as a result of the tragedy happened to SSN Nerpa in the fall of 2008 during trials in the Sea of Japan.

"The jury began to form at the first court session (May 20), and continued on Monday (May 23)", said the interviewee.

Preliminary hearings of the Nerpa case started on April 25 at PF Court Martial in Vladivostok. The court granted the defense's petition for jury trial. Representatives of public organizations – Vladivostok Maritime Assembly and PF Submariners' Union – also insisted on that.

The defense admits that forming of the jury "will take several days", said earlier Alexander Kulakov, attorney of the sub's commander. The trial may take half a year, he added.

On Nov 8, 2008 accidental operation of firefighting system during sea trials of SSN Nerpa resulted in the fact that the mixture of freon and carbon dichloride entered the submarine's compartments. In total, there were 208 persons on board SSN Nerpa. The tragedy claimed 20 lives, other 21 sufferers were intoxicated. Investigators charged the sub's commanding officer Dmitry Lavrentiev and bilge engineer Dmitry Grobov.

Capt 1 rank Lavrentiev is accused of a crime stated in the clause 286/3, RF Criminal Code (excess of service power with grievous consequences – death of two or more persons by negligence). The clause's sanction is up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Petty Officer Grobov is accused of a crime stated in the clause 109/3, RF Criminal Code (improper execution of duties caused death of two or more persons by negligence). The clause provides up to 5 years of imprisonment.

Also, investigators charge Grobov of causing grievous harm to health of two trial crewmembers by negligence as a result of improper execution of duties (clause 118/2, RF Criminal Code). The clause's sanction is up to one year of imprisonment.

According to representatives of Vladivostok Maritime Assembly who had served in the Navy for years and members of trial crew, "thanks to expertise of the sub's CO Lavrentiev and the crew, SSN Nerpa was salvaged and almost 200 people returned home alive". They demand the case to be reviewed.

Submariners concern over the quality of investigation. Being on remand since 2008, Lavrentiev continues to command the submarine, said the chairman of Vladivostok Maritime Assembly Vice Admiral (retired) Boris Prikhodko at the press conference on May 11. As for him, "we must not follow the past-age formula – when a commander died in the accident he was awarded, but went on trial if survived".

SSN Nerpa (K-152, Project 971 Schuka-B) is a 3rd generation submarine designed in St. Petersburg by Malakhit Design Bureau and NPO Avrora. The sub was laid down at Amur Shipyard (Komsomolsk-on-Amur) in 1991. However, in mid-90's the project was shut down. Completion of the sub was resumed thanks to India's investment. After post-accident repairs, in Dec 2009 the submarine was commissioned into Russian Navy. Supposedly, in Oct 2011 SSN Nerpa would be leased to India.