Mr Zhang Chunsheng when he appeared in court and pleaded guilty to being
in possession of ivory products was fined Sh1 million or in default
serve a five-year jail term. He paid the on February 3 and gained his
freedom and was on Wednesday re-arrested as he tried to fly out of the
country. PHOTO/NATION
By PAUL OGEMBA in Nairobi
In Summary
- Zhang was first arrested on January 28 at the JKIA while on his way to Guangzhou, China, from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Chinese fined Sh1 million ($12,000) for being
in possession of ivory products was on Wednesday re-arrested as he tried
to fly out of Kenya.
Zhang Chunsheng was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport (JKIA) following an order by the High Court
stopping him from travelling outside the country until an appeal filed
by Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko challenging the
“light” sentence is determined.
Zhang was first arrested on January 28 at the JKIA
while on his way to Guangzhou, China, from Lubumbashi in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
He was found in possession of three necklaces, two
bracelets, 10 pendants and two rectangular blocks weighing 300 grammes
valued at Sh58,000 ($700) without permit.
The items were made from ivory. He was charged on
January 30 with being in possession of a wildlife trophy of an
endangered species contrary to the new Wildlife Act, 2013 and an
additional two counts of dealing and manufacturing items from ivory.
Zhang pleaded guilty to all the charges and was
fined Sh1 million or in default serve a five-year jail term. He paid the
on February 3 and gained his freedom.
However, the DPP appealed against the conviction
on grounds that the sentence was not in conformity with the new Wildlife
Act which prescribes a minimum fine of Sh1 million or five years in
jail and a maximum life sentence and Sh20 million (233,000) fine.
Mr Justice Mbogholi Msagha granted him interim orders barring Zhang from leaving Kenya pending the hearing of the appea
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