VLADIVOSTOK, October 14 - RAPSI. Dmitry Lavrentyev, captain of the ill-fated Nerpa submarine, lauded his recent acquittal of charges arising from the case of the accident that left 20 dead in 2008, RIA Novosti reports.

On Nov. 8, 2008, the Akula-II class nuclear attack submarine was running sea trials in the Sea of Japan in the western Pacific when its freon-based fire extinguishing system malfunctioned, killing 20 of the 208 people on board and injuring 21.

Lavrentyev and engineer Dmitry Grobov stood accused of responsibility for the accident. Lavrentyev was charged with abuse of power and could face up to 10 years in prison, while Grobov was accused of negligently causing death.

The Pacific Fleet Military Tribunal acquitted both after a jury found them not guilty earlier this year.

The trial was held behind closed doors.