PRAGUE, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Czech police on Tuesday accused three people of suspected treating animals unlawful, said state attorney Jitka Bojanovova.
If found guilty, they might face up to five years in jail.
Due to the suspicious of treating animals unlawful, customs and police officers intervened in Prague, central and north Bohemia on Monday.
According to local media reports, the case involves the killing of tigers in the Bast Zoopark and the subsequent processing of products made of tiger derivates by local community. Czech police raided on Monday a marketplace in Libus, Prague, they suspect the local community of assisting in the unlawful sale of special meals prepared from tiger bones. Police also raided the private Bast Zoopark and its branch in Doksy, north Bohemia.
Bojanovova said they detained three people and levelled accusation against them. The case is being processed by the police, who would decide whether to release the suspects or propose to take the suspects into custody. Further information on the case will be released at a special press conference in Prague on Wednesday. Czech police spokeswoman Ivana Balakova said the criminal proceedings are still ongoing, but she would not specify them until the press conference.
The Czech Environment Inspection (CIZP) is also involved in the investigation of the case, as it concerns a suspected violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
