Prosecutors Warn Buyers of Illegal Sturgeon and Caviar Face Criminal Liability

The Atyrau region prosecutor’s office has warned that buying fish and caviar of doubtful origin from private individuals without the proper permits can make a person an accomplice to a criminal offense,  Orda.kz reports.

Last year alone, 11 criminal cases were sent to court with indictments, and 10 people were convicted.

The prosecutor’s office stressed that Articles 339 and 339-1 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code provide for criminal liability not only for poachers, but also for buyers and resellers.

One recent case involved 502 kilograms of sturgeon found in the trunk of a resident of Atyrau.

The court found him guilty and sentenced him to seven years in prison. He was also ordered to pay more than 304 million tenge in material damages and state duty.

Original author: Rimma Karatayeva

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