MOSCOW, May 15 (RAPSI) – Russia’s Justice Ministry is developing a bill tightening punishment for illegal catching ang selling animals and aquatic biological resources listed in the Red Book or protected by international treaties, the ministry’s statement reads.

Amendments will be proposed to the Criminal Code of Russia.

Under the bill, capture and sale of rare animals and aquatic biological resources would by punishable by community service or imprisonment for up to 4 years instead of currently envisaged 3-year terms.

Tougher punishment would be extended to all persons committed these crimes with the use of official position. Currently, this provision applies only to officials. Moreover, penalties would be introduced for collusive crimes committed by members of organized groups.

From 2015 to 2017, over 2,000 people were prosecuted for illegal catching ang selling red-listed animals and aquatic biological resources. In total, 3,500 crimes were revealed in this field, according to the Justice Ministry.