ST.PETERSBURG. Jan 21 (Interfax-AVN) - A growing number of non-combat losses in units based in northwestern Russia is an occurrence that is being investigated by military prosecutors of the Leningrad Military District.
"Sixty-three servicemen died last year, against 54 in 2007, and 24 of the 63 committed suicide," Military Prosecutor of the Leningrad Military District Maj. Gen. Igor Lebed said at a press briefing.
Military prosecutors "scrupulously investigate each solder's death," he said. "They work actively with the district command and nongovernmental organizations, and visit the units where the situation was or is alarming twice a month," the prosecutor said.
"Special attention is given to suicides believed to have been provoked by hazing," Lebed said.
One of the most high-profile cases was the provoked suicide of soldier Sergei Fillipov, Lebed said while speaking about the cases already investigated. Criminal charges were brought against a sergeant of the same unit, Pavel Baranenkov, in April 2007 by investigators of the Novgorod Garrison.
Incitement to a suicide was proven and the sergeant was sentenced to 2.6 years in jail in late June.