In the spring, there were reports of a group of men who "relaxed" by the river in Carnikava and stuffed a swan into a garbage bag, taking it with them in their car. The incident was witnessed by children who were not afraid to report it to the authorities. Thanks to the intervention of teenagers, the culprits were quickly found, and the case has already been sent to court, reports the show Degpunktā (TV3).
A recording from city surveillance cameras serves as important evidence of the torture of a swan, which was committed by two citizens of Uzbekistan by the river.
Both men, aged 41 and 32, were found by the State Police the day after the crime was committed, and seven months later, the Riga Prosecutor's Office transferred the criminal case to court.
Initially, the suspects claimed to the police that they were celebrating the end of a fast; however, they apparently abandoned this version. It remains unclear why they decided to stuff the swan into a bag and take it away. Law enforcement was unable to find the remains of the swan.
According to both defendants, they placed the helpless bird in the trunk, but as they began to move, the swan allegedly started to move, and after a few kilometers, the men released it.
The men are accused of cruel treatment of an animal, committed by a group of individuals by prior agreement, with the use of torture and in the presence of minors in a public place. Such a crime is punishable exclusively by imprisonment. The maximum sentence is six years of imprisonment.
Both defendants partially admitted their guilt. However, they deny that they broke the swan's neck and hit it on the head.
