In Ukraine, the first verdict for a war crime against the nature reserve fund - received by the pseudo-director of "Askania-Nova"

The occupying "director" of "Askania-Nova" has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for exporting rare animals from the reserve - this is the first verdict for a war crime against the nature reserve fund since the full-scale war began, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on Thursday, writes UNN.

Details

"For the first time since the full-scale war began, a verdict has been handed down in Ukraine for a war crime against the nature reserve fund. The court found the so-called director of the 'Askania-Nova' biosphere reserve guilty," the PGO reported.

As noted, he was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property and a ban on holding positions in government bodies and working in the field of public services for a period of 15 years.

"The court found him guilty of collaborative activities and violating the laws and customs of war, committed by a group of persons in prior conspiracy (Part 7 of Article 111-1, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the report states.

Prosecutors proved that after the occupation of the reserve in 2022, he headed the pseudo-institution created by the invaders and, together with representatives of Russian reserves, organized the illegal export of rare and endangered animals. Among them are Chapman's zebras, American bison, Père David's deer, and Przewalski's horse, listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Animals were also separately moved to the Crimean lion park "Taigan".

The total amount of damages is UAH 85.2 million.

Addition

"Askania-Nova" is a nature conservation institution of international importance, part of the UNESCO network of biosphere reserves, and is protected by international humanitarian law. The illegal export of animals, as noted by the Prosecutor General's Office, was qualified as a war crime, specifically - a violation of the norms of the Geneva and Hague Conventions.

"The illegal export of animals from the reserve is regarded by the investigation and the prosecution not only as looting but also as a war crime against Ukraine's nature reserve fund. This refers to a violation of Article 33 of the IV Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, as well as Articles 28 and 56 of the IV Hague Convention respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land," the report said.