VLADIVOSTOK, September 25 - RAPSI. On Tuesday Russia's Pacific Fleet Military Court ruled that on October 31 a third attempt should be made to form a jury for the second review of the case of the Nerpa submarine accident, defense attorney Dmitry Prokopenko told RIA Novosti.

He said that the trial will be held behind closed doors.

The first voir dire attempt was held August 17. On that occasion, only four candidates out of 20 were left after their various refusals to serve were taken into consideration. On September 25 there were 22 candidates, but only 12 remained after 10 rejected to sit on the jury. The court requires that there should be no fewer than 18 people on the jury to start proceedings.

The Nerpa nuclear submarine had been running sea trials in the Sea of Japan (the East Sea) on November 8, 2008, when its freon-based fire-extinguishment system was activated.

The freon gas, however, started to displace the breathable air. Of the 208 on board, 20 were killed and 21 were hospitalized for toxicity.

Investigators brought negligence charges against Captain Dmitry Lavrentyev and Petty Officer Dmitry Grobov. The hearing was held in private. The Pacific Fleet Military Tribunal acquitted Lavrentyev and Grobov on October 14, 2011. On May 3, 2012, the Supreme Court reversed the decision. The court remanded the case for reconsideration.

As reported previously, the acquittal caused a great deal of controversy. The victims' relatives were offended and indignant at the verdict, while the defendants' colleagues were pleased with the result as they believed the investigators had simply pinned the guilt on the accused in their eagerness to have someone to blame.