http://altapress.ru/story/57170/?viewcomments=1#opinionsheap
5 Oct 2010
Investigation of the case of the illegally hunting bureaucrats in Altai has been extended until January 2011
Altapress.ru recently learned that the investigative agencies extended the investigation period until Jan 5, 2011 in the case of the bureaucrats for illegally hunting Red Book species from an Mi-171 helicopter in Kosh-Agach Rayon in Altai Republic.
….
As of now the accused (Anatoly Bannykh, Nikolai Kapranov, and Boris Belinsky) and their lawyers are acquainting themselves with the case materials and the law on illegal hunting (Criminal Code chapter 2, article 258). After that the case will be sent on to the prosecutor and then to court.
Translation courtesy of Jennifer Castner, The Altai Project.
http://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/20101201145804.shtml
Altai poaching case sent to trial
1 Dec 2010
[summary/excerpts by JC]
The Barnaul Transport Prosecutor affirmed criminal indictment in the case of illegal argali hunting from a helicopter that occurred in January 2009. The Russian General Prosecutor’s office for media contacts reported that Anatoly Bannykh (former vice chair of the AR government), Boris Belensky (general director of Ineko), and Nikolai Karpov (assistant director of the Institute of Economics and Law in AR) will face trial. They are accused of violating Chapter 2, Article 258 of the Russian Federal Criminal Code (illegal hunting with significant damage with the use of air transport to kill animals whose hunting is completely forbidden).
According to the investigation, the figures indicated hunted illegally for arkhar sheep using a Mi-171 helicopter. As a result, they killed three of these animals listed in Russian Federation and Altai Republic Red Books. Total damage is estimated at 900,000 rubles.
[….]
Investigators found the bodies of three extremely rare argali mountain sheep aboard the helicopter.
Experts found that the reason for the Mi-171’s crash was due to a piloting error made by the professional pilot, who, during the flight, was aboard the helicopter as a passenger, but “actively piloted during the final stage.” The Intergovernmental Aviation Committee earlier stated that the emergency situation was preceded by a voluntary change in the flight plan by the commander of the air transport as well as the “execution of a flight to shoot wild animals from a helicopter without receiving advance permission for such activity.”
[….]
Excerpt translated by Jennifer Castner