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Trial of woman who ran over mother, child in Bryansk to be open

Reporters were not allowed into the hall of the Fokinsky district court on Wednesday

BRYANSK, January 18 (Itar-Tass) — The trial of Bryansk resident Irina Dobrzhanskaya, 20, who ran over a woman crossing a road with her small daughter, will be open. However, reporters were not allowed into the hall of the Fokinsky district court on Wednesday, and police tightened security around the building of the court.

Head of the department for organizing legal proceedings Galina Zaritskaya came out to tell the reporters that the case was under review in an open hearing with judge Vasily Bocharov presiding. "Due to a limited number of seats in the hall, it is not possible to accommodate all those wishing to attend the hearing, while shooting the hearing is not possible either," Zaritskya noted.

She said there were many television companies wishing to take a video of the court's session, so the presiding judge banned videoing in order not to infringe upon the television companies’ rights.

On Wednesday, the court was expected to look into the circumstances of the case and question witnesses.

Dobrzhanskaya's lawyer Ruslan Mamedov underlined that it was premature to claim his client was guilty. The defense has a number of objections regarding the expert examination.

Dobrzhanskaya does not deny the fact of the road accident, but it is up to the court to ascertain the extent of her guilt. He drew attention to the fact that there was no road surface markings at the place at the moment of the tragedy, and that police had not installed a warning sign there. Also, the young woman's car was in the far left lane and she might have failed to see the persons crossing the road.

The road accident occurred in Moskovsky Prospekt /Avenue/ on October 7, 2011. Dobrzhanskaya, 20, driving a Volkswagen, ran over Anna Sivakova, 29, and her daughter Sonya, 3. The girl died on the spot, and her mother was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The video of the road accident was placed on the Internet and caused a public outcry. Unsanctioned rallies took place with the participants demanding punishment for the culprit. On several occasions, the participants in the rallies blocked traffic in Moskovsky Prospekt. The investigation into the road accident was handed over to the regional department of the Investigation Committee, given the significance of the case.

Dobrzhanskaya is accused of the commission of crimes envisioned by Article 264, Part 3 of Russia's Criminal Code /violation of traffic rules and operation of vehicles which resulted the death of a person by negligence/. If convicted, she might face up to five years in prison.

The young woman was depressed by the accident and even tried to commit a suicide.

Regional police spokeswoman Svetlana Kokotova told Tass "measures will be taken to ensure law and order within the competence of police to provide normal conditions for conducting a hearing."