Two Russians ended up in jail Sri Lanka in the case of the scientist Alexander Ignatenko, who was accused of illegally collecting insects. As reported TASS, the court sent the detention of the friends of the entomologist: Artem Ryabov and Nikolai Califano.
“They could be released on bail, but the locals agreed to vouch for them only for a reward. The money of our compatriots was not”, – told the news Agency the Vice-President of the Russian division of the International Committee of protection of human rights Ivan Melnikov.
According to him, in the court of the Russians has not provided a translator, which is a violation of their rights. The prisoners were placed in a chamber containing around 90 people, most of whom are accused of serious crimes – murders, terrorist attacks and drug trafficking.
“the People there sleep on the floor, close to each other. All of this violates international norms of detention,” – said Melnikov.
as for the Ignatenko, he is in the hospital: because of the prison food he had ulcer.
human rights Activist said that he had asked the Russian foreign Ministry with a request to support the Russians. In particular, they need financial assistance to pay for legal services.
Ignatenko – the employee of the Rostov zoo. About its detention it became known in mid-may, while he was detained at the end of February. The reason was discovered the beetles, which the biologist gathered during a walk through the national natural Park. The scientist claims that he only collected dead insects, nevertheless it was accused of causing harm to the environment. Now the Russian is threatened with imprisonment for the term up to 40 years and a huge fine.