SK: the director of the Listvyazhnaya mine in Kuzbass did not plead guilty for violating safety standards
Sergey Makhrakov, the director of the Listvyazhnaya mine in Kuzbass, in which 51 people died, refused to admit guilt for violating safety standards. This was announced during the court session by a representative of the Investigative Committee of Russia (TFR), TASS reports.
“He did not admit his guilt in the incriminated acts,” said the representative of the department, who petitioned for the arrest of Makhrakov.
According to investigators, the director of the mine was aware of the dangerous concentration of methane in mine workings until November 25, when the explosion occurred. The TFR is petitioning for the arrest of Makhrakov, since at large he can influence witnesses, destroy evidence and escape from justice.
The prosecutor supported the investigation's petition. Makhrakov himself assured that he was not going to flee the country, and asked for house arrest.
Earlier it was reported that the condition of the victims of the emergency is stable, some of them are planned to be discharged next week.
The incident became known early on Thursday morning, November 25. According to the latest data, 63 people were injured. Deputy Prosecutor General of Russia Dmitry Demeshin believes that the cause of death at the Listvyazhnaya mine was a methane explosion caused by a spark. Later it was reported that a total of two methane explosions took place in the Kuzbass mine. The miners were killed in the first explosion. Rescuers who participated in the search operation died from the second explosion.