Tengrinews.kz - Three zoo employees were convicted for attempting to sell newborn lion cubs in Karaganda.
Tengrinews.kz - Three zoo employees were convicted for attempting to sell newborn lion cubs in Karaganda.
The Kazybekbi District Court reviewed the criminal case of zoo employees accused of attempted theft and illegal sale of animals regulated by international treaties, using their official position on a protected natural territory.
During the court proceedings, the defendants reconciled with the zoo and compensated for the damages caused. In court, two of them mentioned that they had young children to support, while the third had a disability.
The representative of the zoo requested that they not be deprived of their freedom. Due to the reconciliation of the parties, the court terminated the proceedings against the defendants for attempting to sell the lion cubs.
"By the court's ruling, the defendants were found guilty under Part 3 of Article 24 and paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 of Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code for "attempting to illegally sell animals regulated by international treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan, committed by a group of individuals by prior agreement on specially protected natural territory using their official position." They were sentenced to 3 years of restriction of liberty," the press service of the Kazybekbi District Court reported.
Additionally, the convicted individuals have been deprived of the right to engage in activities related to the handling of wild animals for two years. The court's ruling has not yet entered into legal force.
Earlier, a lion and several wild birds were confiscated from a resident of the Saryagash District by police in Kazakhstan.