The parents of a teenager who nearly caused a major air disaster in September by shining a laser into the cockpit of a passing A-320 jet have been ordered to pay a measly 200 ruble ($6.60) fine, RIA-Novosti reported Wednesday.
The pilot of the Aeroflot jet — which had flown from Moscow to Altai's capital, Barnaul, with 120 passengers and eight crew members on board — said the laser left him temporarily blinded.
Altai transportation police tracked the beam to the boy's house the next day. The 15-year-old perpetrator, whose name was not made public, told authorities that he had been home alone, could not sleep and decided to entertain himself by shining a laser pointer at a plane passing overhead.
Attacks involving laser pointers have mushroomed, with about 50 already reported this year. The State Duma is considering legislation making it a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but no action has yet been taken.
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.
