African island nation convicts 3 crew of illegal fishing boat tracked by Interpol
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A senior official in Sao Tome and Principe says a court in the West African island nation has convicted the Chilean captain and two Spanish crew members of a ship investigated for years by Interpol for illegal fishing.
Frederique Samba Viegas D*Abreu, attorney general of the former Portuguese colony, told The Associated Press Wednesday a court found the men guilty of crimes against nature, forging documents, polluting the sea and dangerous piloting of a vessel.
He said the men were sentenced Monday to up to three years in prison or a fine of 5 million euros ($5.7 million) each. The court found they intentionally sank their vessel, the Thunder, off Sao Tome in April when they feared capture.
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Interpol said the convictions are "a major success" in fighting illegal fishing.