Mayor of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky charged with negligence

The Kamchatka Prosecutor's Office brought a charge with negligence against mayor of Petropasvlovsk-Kamchatsky Yuri Golenishchev, the Region's Prosecutor Alexander Voitovich said on Wednesday.

Recognizance not to leave was chosen as a measure of limitation with regard to Golenishchev.

"On Thursday the materials of the criminal case will be submitted to the court of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to decide the question of removing Golenishchev from his post for the time of the investigation," the prosecutor said.

On November 25 the college of judges recognized to be substantiated and satisfied the Regional Prosecutor's request to file a criminal case against Yuri Golenishchev. The judges saw the signs of a crime in the mayor's actions, in particular, negligence and complicity in thwarting the start of the heating season.

The consideration of the Regional Prosecutor's request to launch a criminal case against the Petropavlovsk mayor who is simultaneously a deputy of the Regional Council was put off six times because of Yuri Golenishchev's absence from court in connection with his illness. Five days ago the Prosecutor's Office could not bring a charge because of absence of Golenishchev's lawyer.

The mayor is currently in the hospital with a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

If the court finds the mayor guilty, this carries a punishment in the form of a fine or correctional labor for a term of up to six months. Golenishchev will not have the right to hold the post of mayor in this case.