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Russian tourists fined $370,000 in Sri Lanka
The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka has paid 110 million rupees (around $370 million) to two Russian citizens, Alexey Kurylev and Denis Kolchevsky, for illegally collecting rare animal specimens. We expressed serious concern over the local court's decision to impose the fines. The decision has left both diplomats and the teenagers' parents baffled.
Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan stressed in an interview with TASS that the embassy cannot comment on the court's decision, but noted that the size of the fine caused "significant embarrassment." He added that the embassy is in close contact with the parents of the accused and will recommend that they appeal the sentence.
The October 15 court hearing was the latest step in the case against Kurilev and Kolchevsky, who are accused of illegally collecting more than 1,000 samples of local flora and fauna. Consulate officials attended the meeting and stressed the importance of the incident for Russia.
The high fines are the highest in the history of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Management Authority, raising concerns about the potential impact on other crackdowns on foreigners. The next court hearing is scheduled for November 26, by which time the defendant must pay the fine.