Turtle hunters on trial

DENPASAR, Bali: The Denpasar District Court began hearing on Thursday the case against WZ, alias Wewe, 46, and hundreds of his employees.

The defendants were arrested for trapping and killing turtles and are charged with violating Law No. 5/1990 on the conservation of natural resources.

Prosecutor I Nyoman Suwita said the defendants were responsible for killing and selling some 90 green turtles caught in Sulawesi in October last year.

The ship transporting the protected turtles was raided in Tanjung Benoa, Bali, on Oct. 4, 2000, by personnel from the local Sea and Air Police unit and the local naval base.

Of the 90 turtles confiscated from the ship, 13 were found dead and sealed for evidence.

However, Antara reported that Wewe sold the remaining turtles on Oct. 5 to seven purchasers for Rp 17 million.

Maliani, the ship's captain, testified during the hearing, presided over by judge Ngakan Putu Menuh, that the group had been capturing and selling turtles for 12 years. He said Wewe had never before had any legal problems as a result of his business, adding that he was licensed by the local office of the agricultural ministry. (01)