The Court of the British Bases of Dhekelia imposed heavy bells on five residents of Kokkinochoria, who pleaded guilty to the crime of poaching protected birds and more specifically vine birds.
According to the Assistant Police Director of Dhekelia, Andreas Pitsillidis, all five convicts were found in the dock after their illegal activities were recorded by security cameras placed by the British Base Authorities in the controlled area of the Xylofagou firing range. All five were initially summoned for questioning and when they were shown the visual material accusing them, they pleaded guilty and were subsequently referred to trial.
In the first case, a grandfather and his grandson who poached a vine together on different dates in the area of the Xylofagou shooting range were sentenced the first to a total fine of 6.600 euros and the second to 3.200 euros.
In addition, the grandson was sentenced to 12 months in prison with a three-year suspension. The two were found guilty in ten charges that were repeated on five different dates and recorded by security cameras, in the area where they set up nets for the vines.
In two other cases involving residents of Xylofagos again, two residents paid the first a fine of 1.700 euros and the second 800 euros.
A resident of Deryneia, who was also recorded by British cameras setting up illegal trapping nets, also paid a fine of 1.700 euros.
Mr. Pitsillidis also stated that it is expected that this year the cases of poaching of vultures at the borders of the British Bases in free Famagusta, will be reduced by more than 60% compared to last year, while their number will also be reduced by 70-80%, in relation to the corresponding numbers a decade ago. This, as he pointed out, has to do, of course, with the increased activity of the Ulamos Patrol of the Poaching of the British Bases, but also with the harsher punishments imposed by the British Court in Dhekelia.
It is also worth mentioning that regarding the five convictions of Greek Cypriots by the British Court last Wednesday, the fact that they pleaded guilty and the further hearing procedure was avoided, brought the mercy of the judges, otherwise the sentences would have been even longer.
Source: Liberal