Eric Prokopi Says Unpleasant Words about Mongolia

Disputed dinosaur dealer Eric Prokopi was arrested on smuggling dinosaur skeletons to the US from Mongolia and China. Our journalist spoke with the President`s press agent S.Erdenebold about the arrest of the thief of the “Tyrannosaur Bataar.“

-Media press reports are saying that the “Tyrannosaur Bataar” thief was arrested in Florida. Can you give more details about this?

-“The Tyrannosaur Bataar” has been highlighted in the world stage since last May. The smuggled skeleton is almost a 70 percent complete dinosaur. Press reports brought the smuggled dinosaur skeleton into light before the auction sale took place and the Mongolian President made a claim to the Federal Court just before the auction. Now, just a few hours ago, 38 years old Eric Prokopi was arrested by Federal agents on charges of smuggling the “Tyrannosaur Bataar” into the US from Mongolia, violating Mongolian law, and making false statements in court. During the arrest press staff and journalists from Reuters, Boston, CNN, BBC, and CBS arrived and reported on the incident. When Eric Prokopi was arrested he said unpleasant words about Mongolia and the Mongolian President. He said ‘If the Mongolian president only wants to take the skeleton and try to sell it on the black market, he will have a fight and will only drive the black market deeper underground. I am a paleontologist who works for living.’ This statement is very irresponsible and while we understand that the man is trying to make a living, it is unacceptable for anyone to ignore and violate laws and regulations in any country. Even further, Mongolia will fight against the smuggling of Mongolian historical and paleontological findings and resources from Mongolia to abroad.”

-What efforts are being taken to sentence him on the smuggling crime?

-Eric Prokopi is one of the most successful dinosaur dealers in black market. The “Tyrannosaur Bataar” is not his first find. The other dinosaur bones found in Prokopi"s possession were a Saurolophus Angustirostris, which resided in what is considered Mongolia today 68 million years ago; a Microraptor, which resided in what is considered China today 65 million years ago, and a Gallimimus and an Oviraptor, which both lived 65 million years ago.”

“Now an investigation looking into the illegal business of selling dinosaur findings is taking place in the US while Mongolia is investigating whether or not Mongolians were involved in the smuggling of the “Tyrannosaur bataar.” Mongolia will take active measures to protect not only paleontological findings but also pieces of the Mongolian culture and heritage from being smuggled.”