BY SAM ALFAN.
The office of Director of Public Prosecutions on Monday opposed the release of three Chinese nationals busted with game meat and ivory on bond terms.
While opposing the trio bail application the prosecution informed a Nairobi court that releasing of the three either on cash bail or bond puts Kenya wildlife which is our national treasure in more danger and road to their being extinct.
The state urged the court not to release businesswoman Shang Li Yun ,his son Xing Wei and Shang Jie on a cash bail or bond pending hearing and determination of the criminal case.
The three were found in possession of game trophy and a live tortoise in their house at Aberdares court in Kilimani.
The tortoise was produced in court today by investigating officer who applied the tortoise to be released to Kenya wildlife for safety.
According to the report from the immigration department, it indicated that Shang Li Yun who runs a supermarket along Ngong road has no valid work permit while Shang Jie is in Kenya illegally as he has no valid visa to allow him to be in the country.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot heard that investigations are ongoing in relation to cyber related crimes from the accused persons laptops and mobile phones and the investigation officer is yet to receive a report from cybercrime department DCI headquarters.
Shang Li Yun , Xing Wei and Zhang Jie are accused that on January 8, this year at house number 6 Aberdare court in Kilimani area in Nairobi , jointly with others not before court were found in possession of one Rhino horn weighing 0.94 kilograms valued 1.8 million without permit.
They are also accused that on the same date and place jointly with others not before court were found in possession of leopard skin valued at Ksh. 500,000 without permit.
Shang, Xing and Zhangare further charged that jointly with others not before court were found in possession of two polished elephant ivories, two human statute sculpture ivories , two lion sculpture ivories, seven ivory necklaces and five assorted ivory bangles all weighing 5kilograms valued at Ksh. 4,000,000.
They are also facing charges of being found to have kept a wildlife trophy namely live tortoise without permit.
They are facing several charges of engaging in a business without permit.
Their lawyers Assa Nyakundi and David Ayuo applied for the accused’s release on bond noting it was their constitutional rights.
Magistrate will make the ruling tomorrow.
