A track employee implicated in a November bobsled crash that crippled Russian athlete Irina Skvortsova was fined 3,600 euros ($5,000) by a district court in the German town of Laufen over the incident, RIA-Novosti reported Monday.
Skvortsova’s bobsled collided with another vehicle on the track near Laufen after the employee, Peter Helle, ordered Skvortsova’s crew to begin the race despite a red light banning the start.
Skvortsova, who spent several weeks in an induced coma, almost lost a leg in the incident and is still recuperating.
Helle said at the hearing that the launch of Skvortsova’s sled was sanctioned over the loud speakers at the stadium and that starts while the red light is on are a regular occurrence in bobsled races.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
