This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/11/nine-charged-tanzania-murder-british-conservationst-roger-gower-
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nine charged over Tanzania murder of British conservationist | Nine charged over Tanzania murder of British conservationist |
| (7 months 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. |
| “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. | “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. | Gower, who worked for the Friedkin Conservation Fund, had been tracking poachers after spotting the carcasses of recently killed elephants. |
| It is estimated that more than 30,000 elephants are killed for their tusks every year across Africa. | 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.” | “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.” |