Some Stories
Must Be Told
I'm not
someone who hunts for negativity.
Not one of those who screams "collapse" at every slip-up.
But some stories demand to be heard.
A
15-year-old girl. A court. Two defendants.
And silence — on the day of sentencing.
Alexander Shangin (32) and Alexander Bykov (30) were both
convicted of assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl
in the Russian town of Alapaevsk.
The court issued serious sentences:
— Shangin: 11.5 years
— Bykov: 10 years
Both to serve in a strict-regime colony.
But here's
what's shocking:
Neither man showed up in court on the day of the
verdict.
Now, they are officially wanted.
Why Were
They Ever Released?
Despite the
gravity of the charges, both men were released under
a written pledge not to leave town.
It was a decision made by the investigators.
They
attended the hearings — until it mattered most.
On sentencing day — they simply disappeared.
Yes, they'll
likely be found.
But that's not the point.
The real question is: why weren't they detained
earlier?
Bastyrkin
Demands Answers
The head of
Russia's Investigative Committee, Alexander
Bastyrkin, has officially ordered a review.
He asked regional authorities to explain:
— Why wasn't a stricter pre-trial measure applied?
— How did this happen under supervision?
A full
internal investigation is now underway.
The system is reacting. That matters.
Even if late — consequences must follow.
What About
the Victim?
Put yourself
in the shoes of that girl's parents.
Or the girl herself. She's only 15 years old.
What is she supposed to feel, knowing that
the men convicted of assaulting her were simply
allowed to walk free?
We're With
Russia — But Mistakes Must Be Exposed
This isn't
about attacking the country.
It's about saying clearly:
Yes, Russia is changing for the better.
But for things to improve — mistakes must be
acknowledged.
So that
they're not repeated.
And those who made them — are held accountable.
What Do You
Think?
Could this
have been prevented?
Should pre-trial detention be mandatory in such cases?
And most importantly — how do we ensure this never
happens again?
