Gangster found with lions, bears in home
2013-02-27 19:36
Bucharest - Authorities have removed four lions and two
bears from the estate of a notorious Romanian gangster, who reportedly used
them to threaten his victims.
Ion Balint was arrested 22 February with dozens of others
on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, blackmail and possessing illegal
weapons.
In 2009, he was sentenced for human trafficking, violence
and pimping.
Environmental authorities and the Vier Pfoten animal
charity tranquilised the animals on Wednesday, carried them on stretchers into
cages and transported them to a zoo.
Dozens of bystanders gathered outside the estate's gates
in Bucharest's slums.
Neighbours and relatives of Balint rejected reports from
investigators who said he used the lions, which he had no permit for, to
intimidate his victims.
They said the 48-year-old Balint is simply an animal
lover.
- AP
