In the Lviv region, former forestry officials will stand trial for illegal logging
In the Lviv region, two former forestry officials will stand trial on charges of illegally cutting down more than 1,100 trees and abuse of authority. According to investigators, the damage caused to the environment exceeded 5.2 million hryvnias.
Prosecutors from the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office have filed indictments against the two former forestry officials.
They are charged with the illegal felling of trees in forests and abuse of authority, which resulted in serious consequences.
According to the investigation, in 2022, the director and the chief forester—who was also the first deputy director of one of the divisions of the “Carpathian Forest Office” branch of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”—illegally issued logging permits for thinning operations.
Based on these documents, as established by the investigation, more than 1,100 trees of various ages and species were cut down.
In particular, according to the prosecution, the director unjustifiably issued and signed logging permits, after which at least 1,068 trees were cut down over an area of more than 26 hectares.
The amount of damage caused to the environment as a result of this logging exceeds 4.5 million hryvnias.
According to the investigation, the chief forester also operated under a similar scheme.
The prosecution alleges that he issued illegal logging permits, on the basis of which another 116 trees were cut down over an area of more than 7 hectares.
The damage to the environment in this instance amounts to nearly 700,000 hryvnias.
In total, according to the investigation, the illegal felling of more than 1,100 trees caused environmental damage amounting to over 5.2 million hryvnias.
Both defendants are charged with the illegal cutting of trees in forests and abuse of official authority, which resulted in serious consequences.
The charges are based on Part 4 of Article 246 and Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The pretrial investigation in the case was conducted by the Territorial Office of the State Bureau of Investigations located in Lviv.
At the same time, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
Earlier, Volyn customs officers at the “Yagodin” checkpoint discovered nearly 18 cubic meters of pine stakes that were being attempted to be exported to Ireland with documents that did not match the actual cargo. The estimated value of the timber is 250,000 UAH. The goods were temporarily seized, and a report on a violation of customs regulations was filed against the company’s director.
Customs officials emphasize that the settlement mechanism allows for the resolution of individual cases without lengthy proceedings, provided the violator agrees to comply with the conditions stipulated by law. In the case of the lumber from “Yagodina,” the issue of a settlement agreement and subsequent customs clearance of the goods will be resolved in accordance with established procedures. This was reported by the Volyn Customs Office.
