Poachers from N. Korea who shot Russian border guards facing life in prison
MOSCOW. Sept 18 (Interfax) - The North Korean poachers who resisted with weapons in their hands during their detention by border guards in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday are facing life in prison.
Such punishment is provided for by Article 317 of the Russian Criminal Code (attempt to kill a law enforcement official), on the basis of which a criminal case was opened following the attack by Korean poachers on border guards in the Sea of Japan.
"Attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, a serviceman, or their relatives to obstruct the lawful activities of the said persons to protect public order and ensure personal security, or for vengeance for such activities, is punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison with two years of freedom restriction, life in prison, or the death penalty [Russia has declared a moratorium on the death penalty]," the Code says.
The Investigative Committee press service told Interfax earlier on Wednesday a criminal case had been opened based on Article 317 of the Russian Criminal Code based on the attempted killing of officials from the Federal Security Service's Border Guard Directorate for the Primorye territory following an attack by North Korean poachers on them.