In Lviv region, a notice of suspicion has been served on the former director and the chief forester of one of the units of the Carpathian Forest Office branch of the state enterprise “Lisy Ukrainy” (Forests of Ukraine). According to the investigation, they were involved in the illegal felling of more than 1,100 trees, causing environmental damage of over UAH 5.2 million. This was reported by the Specialised Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation has established that in 2022 the officials, in breach of legal requirements, issued logging permits for restructuring fellings. On the basis of these documents, trees were cut down that in fact were not subject to felling.
According to law enforcement officers, the then director of the forestry enterprise unjustifiably signed logging permits for fellings in the territory of subordinate forestry units. As a result, at least 1,068 trees of various ages and species (pine, birch, hornbeam, beech, spruce, aspen, linden, maple and ash) were felled over an area of more than 26 hectares. The estimated environmental damage amounts to over UAH 4.5 million.
According to the investigation, the chief forester of the same state enterprise acted according to a similar scheme. On the basis of logging permits unlawfully issued by him, a further 116 trees were felled over an area of more than 7 hectares, and the environmental damage was estimated at almost UAH 700,000.
Under the procedural guidance of the Specialised Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, both individuals have been notified of suspicion of illegal felling of trees in forests and abuse of office, which caused serious consequences (Part 4 of Article 246, Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). A decision is currently being taken on the choice of preventive measures for the suspects and the seizure of their property.
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Territorial Office of the State Bureau of Investigation based in the city of Lviv. Law enforcement officers are also checking the possible involvement of other officials of state enterprises in similar offences.
Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.