Russian Protesters Demand Judge Face Charges In Deadly Accident

The scene of the accident

ULYANOVSK, Russia -- Dozens of people demonstrated in front of the parliament building in the eastern Russian region of Ulyanovsk on February 5 demanding a judge be punished for his role in a deadly car accident, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

The protest was organized by the opposition Solidarity coalition movement and human rights activists. Demonstrators say they worry that Valery Sas, a judge from the town of Shchelkov, may escape justice by claiming immunity because of his position as a judge.

On January 21, Sas was driving the wrong way on a highway when he hit a car carrying four people. Two men were killed in the accident and a woman was severely injured.

Sas refused a police request to take an alcohol test at the scene of the accident.

Ulyanovsk protesters held placards with sayings such as: "President Medvedev, Stop The Shedding Of Blood On Highways!" "Judges' Immunity Does Not Mean Their Impunity," and "Everyone Is Equal Under the Law."

No officials came out of the regional parliament building to meet with the demonstrators.

Read more in Russian
here