Moscow court revokes Hrachia Harutyunyan arrest extension decision

The Moscow City Court’s Presidium revoked today the decision on extension of arrest of Hrachia Harutyunyan – the Armenian truck driver who crashed into a bus near Moscow last year. 18 people died in the accident.

The Presidium found violations in the decision of Tverskoy Court’s Judge Yelena Stashina of December 13, 2013 and sent the case for reconsideration.

The Harutyunyan case is now in the stage of consideration on the merits. Harutyunyan’s arrest has been repeatedly extended since the decision of December 13, 2013.

The crash occurred on July 13 of last year in Moscow’s Troitsk administrative district. Hrachia Harutyunyan’s truck loaded with crushed stone ploughed into a bus. 18 people died, over 60 others were injured in the crash.

The accident drew a wide response. Moscow traffic police and prosecutor’s office conducted checkups at numerous transportation companies. As a result, 9 thousand vehicles were banned from operation.

The hearings of Hrachia Harutyunyan’s case are held in Troitski Court of Moscow. He is charged with violation of traffic rules and using fake documents. The defendant denies the latter charge.