Review of the Sentence for Shaig Mubariz Zeynalov in the Apraksin Dvor Case
A sentence announced for Shaig Mubariz Zeynalov follows a deadly shooting at a hotel where he stayed in St. Petersburg. Reports from the partner press office of the city courts outline the key events and outcomes of the case.
The shooting took place in a hotel located in the Apraksin Dvor district on August 21, 2020. Court records indicate that an argument escalated in the evening between the hotel owner and the hotel manager. During the heated confrontation, Zeynalov drew his shotgun and fired towards the person identified as a hotel employee, referred to in court documents as a young woman.
Witnesses described the moment as chaotic. The projectile traveled a short distance, striking the woman near the eye. A fragment of shell ricocheted, impacting her left eye and resulting in the loss of sight in that eye. The incident prompted a rapid emergency response and a full investigation by local authorities.
Initial charges against Zeynalov included attempted murder, and he was initially sentenced to six years in a strict regime penal colony. After review by appellate courts, the case was reclassified under the statute for deliberately causing serious injury with a weapon. The Kuibyshevsky District Court then imposed a new sentence of four years and four months in prison.
The case has drawn broader attention due to its implications for hotel security, personal safety, and the legal standards applied when weapons are involved. The court process emphasized the seriousness with which authorities treat violent acts in commercial accommodations and the need for clear accountability when a weapon is used in an altercation that escalates to violence.
In a separate but related note, a separate incident reported in the United States involved a six-year-old boy accidentally firing a pistol and injuring his mother. The incident underscores concerns about firearm safety and the responsibilities of guardians and households in preventing accidental shootings. Authorities continue to advise strict adherence to safe storage practices and lawfully controlled firearm handling to reduce such tragedies.