In addition to the confirmation of 10 deaths, the Investigative Committee of Russia announced that it had opened a criminal investigation into the crash of the plane, in which the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died.
In a statement quoted by Sky News on Thursday, the Commission of Investigation of the Russian Federation announced that it has “opened a criminal case on the basis of an offense under Article 263 of the Criminal Code”. “This is a violation of safety rules” in air transportaccording to the note, which does not mention Prigozhin by name.
It is said that the private jet (an Embraer 135) was traveling from Moscow to Saint Petersburg when it crashed in the Tver region. “According to preliminary data, 10 people died on board”, including the three crew members, confirmed this organism. All 10 bodies were found.
PRIGOZHIN PLANE EXPLODED
A plane allegedly owned by Wagner leader Prigozhin partially exploded in mid-air before crashing near the Tver region. pic.twitter.com/zoMIFw5AJn
—Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) August 23, 2023
Also according to the committee, “an investigation team went to the place” where the device fell, and took care of it “all necessary forensic investigations will be conducted” as well as other investigative actions “to determine the causes of the plane crash”.
All the bodies of those who died as a result of the crash of #prigozhin‘s aircraft were removed from the crash site and sent to the morgue for forensic medical examination.
Before the fall, the Embraer plane lost 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of altitude in 30 seconds. Before that there was no… pic.twitter.com/TWroD7jFg0
– NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 24, 2023
Flowers for Progozhin
The Civil Aviation Authority (Rosaviatsia) also announced that it had set up a special commission to investigate the plane’s crash after confirming that the name of the Wagner leader was on the list of passengers on board the plane.
“According to the airline, the following passengers were on board the Embraer-135 (EBM-135BJ) aircraft: … Prigozhin, Yevgeny”said Rosaviatsia, who also mentioned mercenary commander Dmitry Utkin.
In St. Petersburg, people laid flowers and decals with the logo of the Wagner group at a makeshift memorial outside the headquarters of the private mercenary group, AFP journalists reported.
“At the moment we just don’t have words for it,” said a man in a mask, next to alleged members of the Wagner group who were at the scene. “We will support Yevgeny Viktorovich (Prigozhin) and all our commanders. We need your support now,” he said.
Source: DN
