Investigators of the Tymovsky Interdistrict Department of the RF Investigative Committee for the Sakhalin Region opened a criminal case on damage to the Eternal Flame in the urban-type settlement of Nogliki. This was reported on May 27 on the website of the department.
On the morning of May 27, pictures of the charred star of the Eternal Flame appeared on Sakhalin social networks. Apparently, she was doused with something or overlaid, and then set on fire. The Eternal Flame itself did not go out.
The actions of the accused were qualified under Part 2 of Art. 243.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Destruction or damage to military graves, as well as monuments, steles, obelisks, other memorial structures or objects perpetuating the memory of those who died defending the Fatherland or its interests, or dedicated to the days of Russia’s military glory”).
It is noted that at present the employees of the Investigative Committee are establishing all the circumstances of the incident, and are also looking for persons involved in the commission of the crime.
The memorial complex in honor of fellow countrymen who died during the Great Patriotic War appeared in Nogliki in 1987.
Earlier, on May 12, in the city of Ishim, Tyumen region, vandals desecrated the Eternal Flame. Just two days after the holiday, unknown people scattered wreaths, and the flowers laid on Victory Day extinguished the flame of the Eternal Flame.
Prior to that, on March 31, the court arrested a minor vandal for two months for desecrating the Eternal Flame in Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol Territory.
On March 27, the vandals who desecrated the Eternal Flame in the city of Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol Territory, asked for “an apology from the whole people” for their act.