They were sentenced to pay a fine of 60 million Sri Lankan rupees - the equivalent of over 180 thousand euros - a father and son from Emilia accused of attempting to smuggle hundreds of protected insects, trying to take them out of the country. This was reported in today's edition of Qn-Il Resto del Carlino. The well-known orthopedic doctor Luigi Ferrari, 68 years old from Sassuolo and his 28-year-old son Mattia were arrested on May 9 by wildlife conservation guards at the exit of the Yala nature reserve.

Inside their backpacks, hundreds of insects were found in glass jars, bags and plastic containers. So they were handcuffed and have been under arrest in the South Asian country ever since. In the hearing that took place in recent days in front of the Thissamaharama court, according to local media, the judge sentenced the two Italians to pay a fine (the highest ever imposed by the country). The sum must be paid, according to the magistrate, by September 29, otherwise the sentence will be converted into two years of prison.

Luigi Ferrari is a very well-known orthopedic surgeon specialized in the treatment of hallux valgus, who works in several private clinics between Reggio Emilia, Modena and Milan. But he is also a great butterfly enthusiast and expert, so much so that he is a member of an entomology association in Modena . The charges against him and his son are very harsh. According to the investigations, the two planned everything, using attractive substances to capture the insects and wax sachets to chemically preserve them. In total, the order speaks of 101 protected species of butterflies and dragonflies illegally captured, collected and transported.

(Online Union)

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