The Russian woman arrested for feeding fish in Thailand was a minimum fine

The Thai court sentenced the Russians Olga Smirnova, arrested two weeks ago for feeding fish on the beach of the island of Rachay. As reported, the woman was threatened with a punishment in the form of one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to 2.8 thousand dollars, but the court passed a mild sentence.

Smirnov should pay a fine of only 1 thousand baht ($ 28) in the size of only, TASS reports with reference to the head of the consular department of the Russian embassy Vladimir Sosnov. According to him, the Russian Embassy appealed to the Thai authorities with a request to consider the Russian woman as soon as possible, taking into account local legislation. "

“As a result, we went to the meeting, for which we express our gratitude to the Thai side. The punishment turned out to be minimal,” the diplomat commented. He also noted that the pledge previously made for the liberation of Smirnova will be returned.

The protection of the Russian woman considers the decision adopted by the court satisfactory. Efforts are currently being made to return Smirnova to Russia.

A 53-year-old tourist from the Russian Federation was arrested by employees of the Thai Sea and coastal resources department and delivered to the police department on the island of Phuket on February 19. She was charged with violation of the rules of behavior in the environmental zone: Smirnova fed fish on the island of Rachi in the Andaman Sea in the south of the kingdom.

According to local legislation, feeding fish and marine animals in the water protection zone is qualified as a crime. It is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to 100 thousand baht (2.8 thousand dollars).

Two days after the detention, the Russian woman was released on bail in the amount of 100 thousand baht (about 3 thousand dollars). However, she was forbidden to leave the country before the hearing.