Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Judicial Court of Inhambane, southern Mozambique, has sentenced a Chinese citizen accused of trafficking seahorses to 14 years in prison, an official source said on Monday.
The man was sentenced to 14 years and payment of a fine of 250 minimum civil service wages, equivalent to around €15,700, said David Foloco, the judge for the case, during the reading of the sentence, quoted by Mozambican TV.
The Chinese citizen was arrested in January in Vilanculos, Inhambane province, in possession of 8.4 kilos of seahorses, a protected and endangered species.
According to the judge, he will also have to pay compensation to the Mozambican state, in the amount of 829,000 meticais (€11,000).
The defence says it will appeal the sentence, considering it unfair and burdensome because there is no material evidence that justifies the penalty.
Lawyer Roberto Pedro is calling for a decision that is fairer and based solely on what the judicial process is, he said.
