After interference of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation the order to suspend investigation into the criminal case about a road accident, which caused death of a man, has been revoked and the case given back to be investigated additionally. It was reported in letter of reply received from the Novgorod Prosecutor’s Office in July.

Earlier, the High Commissioner had received a complaint from the mother of the dead person. She alleged that the investigators failed to conducted required forensic examinations and ascertain witnesses. Moreover, the investigator failed to notify her about the procedural decision adopted by him. More than a year and a half have passed since the accident, but the investigator has repeatedly suspended the preliminary investigation. Upon multiple complaints of the woman against procrastination, the district prosecutor’s office and directing officials of the Investigative Unit of the District Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia revoked these suspensions. However, in April 2016 the preliminary investigation was suspended again.

The High Commissioner submitted a corresponding request to the prosecutor of Novgorod Region and on 29 June the suspension was revoked so that the case was returned to the competent body for additional investigation. In addition, on July 1 the Director of the Investigative Unit of the Chudovsky District Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia was issued a remedial action order which raised an issued of brining the responsible official to liability.

At present, the preliminary investigation is being followed on by the regional Prosecutor’s Office.