MOSCOW, January 30 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Embassy in Madagascar will contest a court decision to jail two Russians for attempting to smuggle rare insects and reptiles out of the country, an embassy official said on Wednesday.
On January 10, Vladimir Yefremenko and his wife Kristina were detained at a national park on charges of attempting to illegally take rare insects, a snake and a frog out of the country.
The couple from the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk were found in possession of plastic cases with different types of local insects, along with insect-catching equipment. A court in the town of Maroantsetra sentenced the Russians to a $300 fine and three months in prison.
"We are taking all necessary measures to appeal the court's judgment," Yury Vinnik said.
He said the embassy is maintaining contact with the Russians, their lawyer, local prosecutors, and prison authorities.
