Court upholds conviction in Orenburg fatal soil collapse
The Orenburg Regional Court considered an appeal against the sentence of the Leninsky District Court of the regional center, which in mid-October last year issued a verdict in a criminal case on violation of safety rules during construction work that led to the death of two men (Part 3 of Article 216 of the Russian Criminal Code). In the dock was a 40-year-old resident of the regional center.
The tragedy in question occurred on 5 December 2023 on Azovskaya Street in Rostoshinsky Ponds. There, as reported by 56.RU, two men were buried by soil while laying a sewer system. Both died on the spot before the ambulance arrived.
The investigation immediately initiated a criminal case, conducted searches in the company«s premises, and seized documents, but only by August 2024 established that under the contract, this specific worker, who ended up in the dock, was responsible for compliance with safety regulations.
According to investigators, he did not conduct a site survey, did not identify soil stratification, and did not remove the detached layer, after which he calmly allowed men into the excavated pit who not only had not undergone introductory briefing but were not even included in the work permit for operations at a hazardous facility.
As a result, by the verdict of the Leninsky District Court of Orenburg, the accused avoided imprisonment. He was sentenced to compulsory labor for 3 years with a 10% deduction from his salary to the state income. Also, for two years, the man will not be able to engage in activities related to construction and earthworks for soil development and laying communication systems.
Not agreeing with the verdict, the defense side appealed it to the appellate court, pointing to the absence of criminal elements in the Orenburg resident«s actions. It did not succeed:
— The appellate court, having studied the materials of the criminal case and the arguments of the appeal, found no grounds to overturn the verdict of the court of first instance, recognizing the guilt of the convict as fully proven, — reported the press service of the Orenburg Regional Court.
