GORNO-ALTAISK, July 17 (RAPSI) - Leonid Gerasimov, a resident of the Altai Territory, who was arrested in Turkey for attempting to export a stone bought as a souvenir, received a suspended sentence of just under 18 months. He is expected to leave for Russia on Wednesday, according to a statement on the Altai administration's website.

Earlier, Gerasimov's wife told RIA Novosti that the couple was staying in a village near Side. They were taken on a tour of a market where they bought fridge magnets, sea shells and a $10 stone in a gift shop.

On their return home in late June, the customs officials confiscated the stone. The man was detained, while his wife and daughter had to board the plane. They were told he would be released the next day, however Gerasimov has remained under detention until now.

The Altai Territory administration reported that today a human rights ombudsman in the Altai Territory Boris Larin received a notice from the Russian Consulate in Antalya regarding the criminal case against Leonid Gerasimov on the charges of attempted export of an object of historical and archaeological value.

"The letter says that the court prescribed a suspended sentence of one year four months and 20 days and imposed a fine. The Russian national was delivered from the courtroom back to the prison to collect a confirmation of his release and personal belongings," the statement says.

The regional officials also report that Gerasimov's flight to Moscow is being arranged in cooperation with a travel agency.