Court martial to try the Nerpa accident case

25.04.2011 Preliminary hearing of the criminal case initiated after an accident happened to SSN Nerpa in 2008 will be held by Pacific Fleet (PF) Court Martial on Monday in Vladivostok, reported RIA Novosti referring to the court's press-secretary.

A fire outbreak occurred in Nerpa on Nov, 2008 during shipyard's sea trials; firefighting system operated improperly, and a mixture of freon gas and carbon dichloride began to enter compartments. As a result, 20 persons died and other 21 were intoxicated. Investigators accused the sub's commanding officer Capt 1 rank Dmitry Lavrentiev and bilge engineer Petty Officer Dmitry Grobov. Late in March PF Judge Advocate endorsed the charge sheet.

The investigation charged Lavrentiev of exceeded authority caused grave consequences - death by negligence of two or more persons (clause 286/3 of RF Criminal Code, provides up to 10 years of imprisonment). Grobov is charged of improper execution of service duties resulted in death by negligence of two or more persons (clause 109/3 of RF Criminal Code, provides up to 5 years of imprisonment).

"Preliminary hearing is called for April, 25 at 10 am. It will be non-public", reported the interviewee.

Defense of Nerpa's commander Dmitry Lavrentiev is about to demand termination of criminal case against him, reports RIA Novosti citing Lavrentiev's attorney Alexander Kulakov. According to him, however, "there's little hope on the discharge", so the defense also prepares motions to return the case under investigation.

In addition, defenders intend to use the right of trial by jury. As for Kulakov, the submarine commanding officer "acted in accordance with guidelines".

The lawyer will also claim for additional investigative actions, including investigative experiment, examination of representatives of defense factories such as Amur Shipyard which took part in preparation for the sub's sea trials and drew technical specifications.

Representatives of the St. Petersburg Submariners' Club say that "jury trial is required in the Lavrentiev's case; supplementary expert examinations are also needed". The club will actively participate in this process "within the limits of the law", among other measures insisting on involvement of an independent public observer, said the chairman of the submariners' club Igor Kurdin at the press conference on Apr 18. According to experts, the case is still obscure; in particular, how could the gas volume meant for three compartments literally "stream" on heads of people in one room, and why carbon dichloride made a significant part of the mixture instead of freon gas.

Lawyer Ilya Rubtsov says the proceedings over the Lavrentiev's case will be "quite time-consuming", since numerous documents either directly or obliquely related to the case are classified.

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 construction 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.