The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) is extremely shocked to learn of the final verdict passed by the Russian court where three Air Traffic Controllers were sentenced to 5, 5 and half and 6 years imprisonment (penal colony). Such prosecution and sentencing do nothing to improve aviation safety, well to the contrary, and the consequences of such brutal and unjust treatment cannot yet be assessed.

Russia remains amongst a few States that have chosen to deviate from international standards and recommendations—including those specified in Annexes 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations) and 19 (Safety Management Systems) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation—when it comes to using safety reports to trigger court cases. To safeguard the whole aviation system in Russia, the judiciary needs an urgent adjustment in line with Resolutions 38-3 and 38-4 of the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the aviation specialised body of the United Nations.

A similar statement was adopted by the The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), noting that it was extremely disappointed to learn about the final verdict passed by a Court of the Russian Federation. IFALPA calls for the immediate release of the three controllers and urges the Russian Federation to adhere to and fully implement ICAO's positive safety culture principles, especially in the wake of an aviation accident.

Entire statements you can read at these links:

— IFATCA: https://www.ifatca.org/wp-content/uploads/ifatca_lt_support_russia_021020.pdf

— IFALPA: https://www.ifalpa.org/media/3563/20prl09-ifalpa-calls-for-immediate-release-of-russian-air-traffic-controllers.pdf