Turtle hunters on trial

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)