Two Kyrgyz citizens were convicted for illegal trapping of gyrfalcons on Kamchatka as part of an organized criminal group. Kamchatka-Inform reported with reference to the Investigation Department of the Investigation Committee of Russia for Kamchatka Krai.
According to it, 29-year-old and 45-year-old Kyrgyzstanis were found guilty of «illegal capture, keeping and storage of especially valuable wild animals belonging to the species listed in the Red Book of Russia.»
The court found out that from June to November 11, 2016, members of the organized group trapped 63 wild gyrfalcons listed in the Red Book with the aim to sell them.
The state incurred losses of more than 73 million rubles (about 78.1 million soms).
Birds after their seizure and inspection by ornithologists were released into their natural habitat.
Numerous traps, weapons and ammunition, communications equipment, tools for storing and keeping the birds were confiscated from the criminals.
The court sentenced the Kyrgyz citizens to 2.5 years in prison (suspended sentence) with a probation period of 3 years.
Earlier, the 48-year-old organizer of the crime received the same term, but with the serving it in a penal colony and a fine of 275,000 rubles.
