Overview

• Far Eastern transport prosecutors approved an indictment and transferred Mikhail Pichugin’s case to the Nikolaevsk-na-Amure city court in Khabarovsk Krai.
• Pichugin is charged with violating maritime safety rules causing two deaths and using a forged document under Russia’s Criminal Code Articles 263 Part 3 and 327 Part 5.
• Investigators say he exceeded small-craft distance limits, entered prohibited areas, and knew the engine’s cooling system was defective before it failed about 19 km from shore.
• The boat drifted for more than two months without satellite or radio communication; his brother and 15-year-old nephew died of hypothermia and exhaustion, and he was rescued near Ust-Khayryuzovo before being placed under a travel restriction.
• His attorney says Pichugin does not admit guilt and will seek acquittal, and the court will rule at the first session on a defense motion for him to participate by video.