Elena Sytnikova, the mayor of the city of Kurgan, was detained

Kurgan Mayor Elena Sytnikova was detained by law enforcement agencies on Tuesday, TASS reports. The reasons for her detention are not mentioned. However, the local publication Oblast45.ru, with reference to its source, claims that Sytnikov can be prosecuted in the criminal case about the fires in Kurgan and the region in the spring of this year.

Deputy of the Kurgan Regional Duma Natalya Vorobyova also mentioned the case of fires. “She has to take the responsibility. I don’t feel very well when I think about 21 people [погибших в весенних пожарах в Зауралье]. Someone must be responsible for this. I don’t think it’s only Elena Vyacheslavovna. But she, by virtue of her position, will probably be responsible for it,” Vorobyova said in a comment to 45.ru.

• In April and May of this year, more than ten Russian regions faced large-scale forest fires. On May 7, a state of emergency was introduced in Kurgan and the region. Dozens of people died, hundreds were left without blood. In August, a criminal case was initiated against a number of officials of the Kurgan City Hall under the article of negligence. Inspections “established the facts of improper notification of the population and carrying out of evacuation measures.”