Russian media reports United Russia deputy from Tuva parliament fatally shot man on hunting trip after mistaking him for animal

The local branch of Russia's Investigative Committee in the Tuva Republic reported Monday that a criminal case has been opened against a 44-year-old local man who fatally shot another man on a hunting trip after mistaking him for an animal.

Authorities didn’t release the suspect’s name, but the Telegram-based outlet Baza named the man as Echis-Baldir Nurzat, a deputy in Tuva’s parliament and a member of the ruling United Russia party. The TV network RTVi also reported that Nurzat is the defendant, citing a source from local law enforcement.

The man is being charged with negligent homicide. According to investigators, the incident occurred on February 12, and the 38-year-old victim died on the spot.