An executive at Moscow’s Grabar restoration center, Sergei Selivenin, and two workers, Dmitry and Sergei Shabalin, who were fixing the roof of the center, are under investigation in connection with a fire that engulfed the upper floor of the center July 16, RIA-Novosti reported Tuesday.
The Investigative Committee said the workers were fixing the roof on Selivenin’s orders, the report said. The three men face unspecified fines and up to one year in prison on charges of property destruction and negligence that caused multiple deaths, it said.
Two firefighters died in the incident. Of the 1,220 artworks stored at the center, only a single 19th-century etching valued at 300 rubles ($10) was lost, but 58 artworks will require restoration, Interfax reported.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.