Overview

• Transport prosecutors approved the indictment and forwarded the case to the Nikolaevsk-on-Amur city court in Khabarovsk Krai.
• Pichugin is charged under Part 3, Article 263 of the Criminal Code for fatal maritime safety violations and under Part 5, Article 327 for use of a forged document.
• Investigators say he knew the engine’s cooling system was defective, failed to maintain it, entered restricted waters, and carried no satellite or radio communications.
• The outboard motor failed about 19 kilometers from shore, the catamaran drifted for over two months, and his brother and 15-year-old nephew died from hypothermia and exhaustion.
• His lawyer says Pichugin will request to attend hearings by video link, and he remains under a travel restriction.