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Article: Jailing of scientists raises fears of repression in Brazil
- Article from:
- Belfast Telegraph
- Article date:
- August 29, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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But even though his research has led to the discovery of five
species of monkey as well as a new primate genus, earlier this year
he was arrested and sentenced to almost 16 years in jail. He is now
out on bail, pending an appeal, but the impact on scientific research
has been dramatic.
Dr van Roosmalen's crime was keeping orphaned monkeys (whose
parents were slain by hunters) in a refuge at his home in the Amazon
without the appropriate permits.
Field research requires approval from up to five government
agencies in Brazil. And it can take up to two years to get it.
Last month, a biologist conference in Latin America saw 287