MOSCOW, March 21 (RAPSI) – The State Duma passed in the first reading on Wednesday a bill to toughen punishment for illegal online sale and purchase of wild animals and aquatic biological resources, including those listed in Red Book.

Under the bill submitted by Russia’s government, illegal selling and buying animals, their parts and derivates through the Internet or mass media would be punishable by up to 4 years in prison with fines ranging from 500,000 to 1.5 million rubles ($26,000).

This proposal is connected with increased cases of online sales of skin, bones and other derivates of most valuable wild animals and aquatic biological resources, an explanatory note to the bill reads.

The initiative is aimed to improve efficiency of fighting against these crimes.

Currently, illegal animal trade is punishable by fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($8,700) and community service of up to 2 years.