Yakutia’s Supreme Court Drops Sturgeon Poaching Case After Fisherman Shows Remorse

A rare act of judicial leniency saves a poacher from prosecution—but at what cost to Russia’s endangered sturgeon? The court’s decision sparks debate over conservation and justice.

, and Administrator

2025 November 13 . 5:16 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a fish in the water and there are plants.

Yakutia’s Supreme Court Drops Sturgeon Poaching Case After Fisherman Shows Remorse

In a case involving the illegal catch of a protected Siberian sturgeon, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) has dropped proceedings against Mr. I. due to his remorse. The incident caused significant damage to Russia's biological resources. On July 18, 2025, Mr. I. illegally caught a male Siberian sturgeon at the Billëëkh site on the Vilyuy River. He intended to keep it for personal consumption, despite knowing it was against the law. The next day, police officers detained him and confiscated the sturgeon. The environmental organization Greenpeace later took possession of the catch after the criminal proceedings were terminated. The Supreme Court ordered the destruction of the fishing equipment used in the offense. The sturgeon, valued at 160,456 rubles, was transferred to the Territorial Office of the Federal Agency for State Property Management. Mr. I. was initially charged under Part 1 of Article 258.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. However, his lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the case due to his active remorse, which the Supreme Court accepted. The illegal catch has resulted in a loss of 160,456 rubles to Russia's biological resources. Despite the damage, the Supreme Court showed leniency due to Mr. I.'s remorse, terminating the criminal proceedings. The seized sturgeon has been secured by authorities for safekeeping.