Russian police arrest two people after 18 die from drinking bootleg alcohol
- Russian authorities said they had arrested two people as part of an investigation into the deaths, in the second such incident in recent weeks
- At the beginning of October, at least 36 people in the region of Orenburg died after drinking bootleg alcohol containing highly toxic methanol
Russian authorities said on Saturday they had arrested two people as part of an investigation into the death of 18 people in the Urals who drank bootleg alcohol, in the second such incident in recent weeks.
Investigators said “several individuals sold people an alcohol liquid that was dangerous for their health” over the past two weeks in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city.
“Eighteen people died after drinking the liquid,” the statement said.
An investigation had been opened into the sale of substandard goods and death by negligence, which could result in prison sentences of up to 10 years, it said.
At the beginning of October, at least 36 people in the region of Orenburg died after drinking bootleg alcohol containing methanol, which is highly toxic.