Prison Terms Issued Over Fatal Russian Club Fire

A court in the Siberian city of Perm has convicted seven people in connection with a nightclub fire that killed 156, sentencing them to prison terms of four to nearly 10 years.

The December 2009 fire broke out when a pyrotechnic show in the crowded club ignited plastic decorations on the ceiling.

Panicked customers tried to flee, but there was only a single exit, and many couldn’t get out in time.

Club owner Anatoly Zak was convicted of creating conditions that violate safety regulations and sentenced to nine years and 10 months in prison.

The club’s director and artistic director, the two fireworks technicians and two current or former safety inspectors were sentenced to lesser terms.