The Mayor of Nazayayevsk Fails to Appeal His Sentence for a Massive Fire in the Omsk Region

The Court Upholds the Lower Court’s Verdict

The Omsk Regional Court rejected the appeal of the Mayor of Nazayayevsk, Sergey Rakushin, who was found guilty of negligence resulting in a fire that killed 11 people in the village of Verkhnyaya Malaya.

The Tragic Fire

On April 19, 2022, a fire broke out in a two-story apartment building in Verkhnyaya Malaya. The fire quickly spread due to strong winds and the lack of fire safety measures, resulting in the deaths of 11 residents. An investigation revealed that the building did not have functioning fire alarms or emergency exits. The court found that Rakushin, as the mayor, was responsible for overseeing fire safety measures in the town and failed to fulfill this duty.

Rakushin's Defense Arguments

Rakushin denied responsibility for the fire, claiming that he was not aware of the safety violations in the building. He also argued that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction beyond his control. However, the court dismissed these arguments, finding that Rakushin had been repeatedly informed about the building's safety issues and had failed to take any action to address them.

The Court's Decision

The Omsk Regional Court upheld the lower court's verdict, sentencing Rakushin to three years in prison. The court found that Rakushin's negligence directly contributed to the tragic loss of life in the fire and that he should be held accountable for his actions.

The Aftermath

The fire in Verkhnyaya Malaya was a devastating event for the community. The victims' families have expressed outrage at Rakushin's failure to ensure their safety. The verdict sends a strong message that those responsible for public safety will be held accountable for their actions.