The legal investigation on the fact of illegal hunting of the amur tiger in the north of Primorsky Krai is finished. Taking into account the previous sentence for theft the court sentenced the Primorsky Krai resident Kostenko to two and a half years of imprisonment in a strict-regime labour camp. The court also sentenced the convict to compensation for environmental damage in the amount of 726 thousand rubles.
In June 2013 the General Administration for Economic Security and Combatting the Corruption of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in cooperation with the General Administration of Internal Security of Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the General Administration of Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District and the Administration of Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in the Primorsky Krai have conducted operational activities. As a result previously convicted Alex Kalugin and his accomplice Victor Kirichenko were detained trying to sell tiger skin. In addition, the fact of machine gun and TNT sales was recorded.
Criminal proceedings were initiated on the fact of these crimes under Art. 175 of the Criminal Code " acquisition or sale of property known to be acquired by criminal means" and Art. 222 of the Criminal Code "Illegal acquisition, transfer, selling, storage, transportation or carrying of the weapon, its basic parts, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices".
During the investigation, law enforcement officers determined the person who had shot the tiger, a criminal case under Art. 258 of the Criminal Code "Illegal hunting" was initiated. According to the testimony of the convict, the crime was committed in a forest near the village Dalniy Kut. After killing the tiger attacker removed the animal's skin and hid it on the river bank in order to sell. The examination conducted by a specialist, showed that the victim was an adult tiger mature female in excellent physical condition.
"It is gratifying that the sentences against poachers are submitted regularly. It is time to understand that shooting the tiger as well as abetment entails an inevitable punishment. We are waiting for a completion of the investigation on citizens who have been trying to sell the skin of the tiger. If their guilt is proved, we hope that they will suffer a just punishment” - says Sergey Aramilev, the director of the Primorsky branch of Amur Tiger Center.
Owing to efforts of the Amur Tiger Center experts there was the tightening of the Russian Federation Criminal Code concerning persons who kill the tigers or contribute to it, as well as those who store or provide the sale of body parts of animals or their derivatives.
"Poachers is lucky to have committed a crime before the entry into force of Art. 258.1 of Criminal Code, otherwise the punishment would be more severe, and the size of compensation payments for damage to the environment would not be less than 1.1 mln. Rubles. In this regard, I would like to draw the attention of all citizens who are involved in criminal business related to the illegal exploitation and trafficking of high-value wild animals, the size of earnings is times lower than fines they are to pay, not to mention an indelible stain of the criminal record or years lost in prison, "- said Sergey Aramilev.
For reference. On July 14, 2013, there were amendments to the Criminal Code (Articles 226.1 and 258.1) providing increased penalties for the illegal hunting and trafficking of high-value wildlife and aquatic biological resources listed in the Red Book of Russian Federation and (or) protected by international treaties of Russian Federation (Federal law "on amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation" dated June 2, 2013 N150-FZ). A list of these species for the purposes of the application of Articles 226.1 and 258.1 of the Russian Federation approved by the Government on October 31, 2013 N978.