Updated 03:23 p.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, October 21 (RIA Novosti) – New suspects are likely to emerge in the ongoing investigation into the accident in Moscow's Vnukovo Airport that killed the chief executive of French energy giant Total, a Russian Investigative Committee spokesman said Tuesday.
"Although first suspects have already been identified in the case, it is evident that the negligent behavior of perpetrators was, naturally, overlooked by the upper management, whose actions or inaction will undoubtedly undergo a proper legal scrutiny, and we do not rule out more detentions in this case," Vladimir Markin said.
"Moreover, investigators will take measures soon to suspend some airport officials, who may hinder the investigation, from official duty," the spokesman added.
A business jet with Total CEO Christophe de Margerie and three crew members on board crashed on Monday night in Moscow's Vnukovo-3 Airport after hitting a snowplow during takeoff. All four individuals died in the crash.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said earlier Tuesday the incident was triggered by the connivance of the airport authorities. Russian investigators have also claimed that the snowplow driver was drunk during the incident – a claim denied by the man's lawyer. The driver has been detained for 48 hours and will likely be arrested soon.
