The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, instructed to re-examine the materials of the criminal case of a 34-year-old resident of Ufa, Vladimir Sankin.

The man stood up for two boys who told about the harassment of a pedophile, and in a fight inflicted injuries on him incompatible with life. 

“The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia instructed his subordinates to study once again how the regional investigation department in the Republic of Bashkortostan substantiated the qualifications of Sankin's actions, what mitigating and aggravating circumstances were established during the investigation, to analyze the validity of procedural decisions, and other collected evidence,” the press service said.

The ICR also noted that a criminal case against the deceased alleged pedophile Vladimir Zaitsev will be examined.

The case against him was investigated under article 135 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (lecherous actions) and was terminated in court on a non-rehabilitating basis - in connection with the death of the accused.

Sankin's lawyer Shota Gorgadze told RT that on April 26, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan will consider an appeal against a severe sentence.

“I believe that the wisest and most correct decision would be to cancel the sentence and return the case for further investigation.

I hope that the investigating authorities, thanks to the principled position of the chairman of the Investigative Committee, will more thoroughly figure out what really happened and this unjust verdict will not take place in the future.

This is a terrible precedent and a signal to society that if you see a threat to other people's children, then you will have a terrible choice: either walk by and live with it, or help and go to prison for 8 years.

This should not be allowed, ”Gorgadze said.

In his opinion, such a decision of the chairman of the TFR became possible thanks to the close attention of the media to the case and public outcry.

Now Sankin is in jail, since the verdict of the Kalininsky District Court of Ufa has not yet entered into force.

"He courageously endures everything, although there is little pleasant," Gorgadze shared with RT.

In turn, Sankin's relatives told RT that they learned about the review of the case from social networks, no one officially notified them about it.

However, they have so far refused to comment on the case before the Supreme Court session.

Savior of children

In Ufa, on January 30, 2020, a local resident protected teenagers from a pedophile who harassed them. 

As follows from the materials of the case, Vladimir Sankin was returning from the auto repair shop where he worked.

Near the bus stop, a 14-year-old boy ran out to meet him from the entrance and asked for help.

The teenager said that a man is holding his friend in the apartment and wants to abuse him.

Sankin freed the boy, and dragged 54-year-old Vladimir Zaitsev out into the street to talk.

A fight ensued, after which Zaitsev remained lying on the ground.

Sankin called the police and an ambulance.

However, on the way to the hospital, Zaitsev died.

After that, a criminal case was initiated against Sankin under Part 1 of Art.

105 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Murder") and under clause "c" part 4 of Art.

162 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Robbery”).

According to investigators, after the fight, Vladimir pulled money from Zaitsev's pocket. 

A criminal case was also initiated against Zaitsev under Article 135 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (lecherous actions), but it was closed due to the death of the accused. 

The jury was supposed to consider the Sankin case.

In December 2020, they found no reason to accuse the man of robbery.

However, they found him guilty of beating Zaitsev.

At the same time, the jury noted that the defendant saved the children and "deserves leniency."

The Kalininsky District Court of Ufa sentenced Sankin to eight years in a strict regime colony.

We are repeatedly judged

Even during the investigation, the Sankin case acquired a wide public response.

As RT found out, Zaitsev was repeatedly tried.

The first time he came to the attention of law enforcement officers at the age of 18.

In 1983 he was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison under Part 2 of Art.

121 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR "Sodomy".

In 2003, he was caught several times in the company of minors drinking alcoholic beverages.

For this, the man was found guilty under Part 1 of Art.

151 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Involvement of a minor in the commission of antisocial acts") and sentenced to a year of correctional labor and withholding 20% ​​of the salary at the expense of the state.

In 2007, Zaitsev was detained on charges of sexual acts with the use of violence against a person known to be under the age of 14.

According to local media reports, the victim was his son.

On December 27, 2007, Zaitsev was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a strict regime colony.

According to his description from PKU IK-7 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Republic of Bashkortostan, where he was serving his sentence, Zaitsev "was prone to solitude, experienced difficulties in interpersonal relationships, was not self-confident, touchy, prone to depression and anxiety."

On October 3, 2018, Zaitsev was released.

By the decision of the Meleuzovsky District Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan, on June 27, 2018, he was supervised for a period of 8 years.

Zaitsev was forbidden to leave the house from 22:00 to 07:00, without notice to change his place of residence.

FSIN officials reported that the likelihood of Zaitsev committing a second crime is high.

He had to report to the police four times a month.

After his release, the man was twice brought to administrative responsibility for petty hooliganism, after which he was forbidden to approach schools and city parks.