Two Czechs arrested in India for hunting rare bugs

Two Czechs have been arrested in India and charged with illegally poaching rare insects. On Wednesday, a representative of the Czech Embassy in Dehli confirmed reports that biologist Petr Švácha and forester Emil Kučera were being held in custody, having been caught butterfly-collecting in the Singalila National Park, Northwest India. The accused say they were unaware of Indian wildlife legislation and were collecting the insects for research purposes. According to Indian daily The Statesman, the insects found in the pair’s possession had a value of up to 5400 crowns (350 USD) apiece. The Indian police have refused to release the two men on bail, they are expected to appear before a court on July 7.