BOSTON — A Ukrainian man has been sentenced in a U.S. court after admitting to a plot to smuggle sperm whale ivory into and out of the country.
Andriy Mikhalyov, 39, of Odessa, pleaded guilty Monday in the Massachusetts court to conspiring to buy, sell and smuggle sperm whale teeth. He was sentenced to time incarcerated since his arrest, a period of more than nine months.
Sperm whale are an endangered species. The teeth are used in making scrimshaw, in which the ivory is etched to create a piece of art. Authorities said the case should help deter others from preying on endangered and threatened species.
(AP)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
