VLADIVOSTOK, August 17 - RAPSI. On Friday the Pacific Fleet Military Court dismissed an appeal filed by the accused in the Nerpa nuclear submarine accident. They had requested that their criminal case be returned to the prosecutor as part of the case's reconsideration, Dmitry Prokopenko told RIA Novosti.

The Nerpa submarine had been conducting sea trials in the Sea of Japan (the East Sea) on November 8, 2008, when its freon-based fire-extinguishing system activated. The Freon gas started to displace the breathable air in the submarine. Of the 208 on board, 20 were killed and 21 were hospitalized for toxicity.

Investigators brought charges against Capt. Dmitry Lavrentyev and Petty Officer Dmitry Grobov. The hearing was held behind closed doors. 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 ruled that the case be reconsidered.