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Nine charged over Tanzania murder of British conservationist | Nine charged over Tanzania murder of British conservationist |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nine Tanzanians have been charged in connection with the murder of a British conservationist whose helicopter was shot down while he chased suspected poachers, a senior prosecutor has said. | Nine Tanzanians have been charged in connection with the murder of a British conservationist whose helicopter was shot down while he chased suspected poachers, a senior prosecutor has said. |
Roger Gower, 37, died when suspected poachers gunned down his helicopter during a patrol of the Maswa game reserve in northern Tanzania, close to the Serengeti national park, on 29 January. | Roger Gower, 37, died when suspected poachers gunned down his helicopter during a patrol of the Maswa game reserve in northern Tanzania, close to the Serengeti national park, on 29 January. |
Photographs of the crashed helicopter show twisted metal, apparent bullet holes in the fuselage and smears of blood on the pilot’s seat. | Photographs of the crashed helicopter show twisted metal, apparent bullet holes in the fuselage and smears of blood on the pilot’s seat. |
Related: Without a solution to the poaching crisis, the death of conservationists will continue | Ben Fogle | Related: Without a solution to the poaching crisis, the death of conservationists will continue | Ben Fogle |
“Four of them are charged with murder, while others face charges of economic sabotage and unlawful possession of firearms,” senior government prosecutor Yamiko Mlekana told AFP by phone on Thursday. | “Four of them are charged with murder, while others face charges of economic sabotage and unlawful possession of firearms,” senior government prosecutor Yamiko Mlekana told AFP by phone on Thursday. |
The four men charged with murder have not yet entered any plea, as their case will be tried in the high court. The other five will be tried in a lower court. | The four men charged with murder have not yet entered any plea, as their case will be tried in the high court. The other five will be tried in a lower court. |
“Some of the accused pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of firearms and elephant tusks, while others denied the charge,” Mlekana said. | |
Gower, who worked for the Friedkin Conservation Fund, had been tracking poachers after spotting the carcasses of recently killed elephants. | |
Related: 'Total of five people arrested' over killing of British pilot in Tanzania | Related: 'Total of five people arrested' over killing of British pilot in Tanzania |
It is estimated that more than 30,000 elephants are killed for their tusks every year across Africa. | |
Their ivory is prized for jewellery and decorative objects and much of it is smuggled to China, where many increasingly wealthy shoppers are buying ivory trinkets as a sign of financial success. | Their ivory is prized for jewellery and decorative objects and much of it is smuggled to China, where many increasingly wealthy shoppers are buying ivory trinkets as a sign of financial success. |
Tanzania’s natural resources and tourism minister, Jumanne Maghembe, this week announced the government would set up a special task force for anti-poaching operations. | Tanzania’s natural resources and tourism minister, Jumanne Maghembe, this week announced the government would set up a special task force for anti-poaching operations. |
“Poaching is now done using sophisticated machinery and heavy weapons including AK-47s,” Maghembe said. “We are going to set up a force comprising different security forces and the army.” | |