Charges Have Been Filed in the Case Involving Medvedchuk's Residence in Transcarpathia
In the Zakarpattia region, six people have been notified that they are suspects in a case involving the illegal use of more than 220 hectares of state-owned forests. The “Vedmezha Dibrova” residence is located in this area, which law enforcement officials link to the family of former People’s Deputy Viktor Medvedchuk.
According to the investigation, the state-owned land was used as a private, gated resort. “Forests of Ukraine” estimates its value at 2.5 billion hryvnias.
In Zakarpattia Oblast, law enforcement officials have notified six participants in the scheme of illegal use of state-owned land—where the “Vedmezha Dibrova” residence is located—that they are under suspicion. It is linked to the family of Viktor Medvedchuk, a former member of parliament who is under sanctions and has been convicted of high treason. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
According to the investigation, those charged include the head of the regional forestry agency, three heads of district forestry and hunting agencies, the former head of the Volovets District State Administration, and the director of a private company. The prosecutor’s office notes that the case involves a 226-hectare forest area. It is on this territory that the “Vedmezha Dibrova” residence is located. “This involves a 226-hectare forest area where the ‘Vedmezha Dibrova’ residence was illegally built; it is linked to the family of Viktor Medvedchuk, who is under sanctions and has been convicted of high treason. According to estimates by the state-owned enterprise “Forests of Ukraine,” the value of this land is 2.5 billion hryvnias,” the Office of the Prosecutor General reported.
Investigators have established that as early as 2013, part of this land was transferred to a private company for long-term use. Officially, a sports and wellness complex was to be built there. However, according to the investigation, the Medvedchuk family effectively took control of the territory, and the land itself was used as a closed private recreational area. The prosecutor’s office states that more than 220 hectares of state-owned forest were illegally occupied and enclosed by a fence approximately eight kilometers long.
“Law enforcement officials have established that more than 220 hectares of state-owned forest were illegally occupied and enclosed by a fence approximately 8 km long. On the territory, estates with a total area of nearly 2,800 square meters were built, a helipad, a cheese factory, a stable, a restaurant, a garage, and other structures not related to forestry operations,” the OGP noted.
The actions of those involved in the case were classified under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. These include unauthorized occupation of a land plot, abuse of official position, and official negligence. The prosecutor’s office also reported that the investigation is examining the involvement of other officials who, over the years, were responsible for the protection and use of forest resources in this area.
Law enforcement agencies are currently working to return the land to state ownership. To this end, the prosecutor’s office is challenging in court the agreements under which the forest land was transferred for use. The investigation into the case is ongoing, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have officially notified six individuals of their status as suspects for organizing and coordinating a large-scale scheme to illegally dispose of more than 220 hectares of land from the state forest fund in Zakarpattia.
