In Lviv region, a scheme for the unlawful removal from state ownership of 1.4 ha of forest land located within the Skhidnytsia forestry of the Drohobych Forestry State Enterprise has been uncovered. Under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, two officials of the Main Department of the StateGeoCadastre in Lviv region have been notified of suspicion.
According to the investigation, the suspects, holding managerial positions in structural units responsible for the state land cadastre and land management, organised the unlawful transfer of forest fund land into private ownership. In the land management project, the forest plot with an area of 1.4 ha was unlawfully designated as “hayfields”, that is, ordinary meadows for haymaking.
The first version of the project was submitted for review under the principle of extraterritoriality. An expert from Donetsk region refused to approve it, indicating that there was forest vegetation on the plot and that a water body was located nearby. After this, the developer of the land management documentation was changed, and the new project, with the same designation of the plot as “hayfields”, was again submitted for extraterritorial review, where another expert approved it.
Subsequently, the officials, being aware of the actual status of the land, signed a covering letter to the draft order of the Main Department of the StateGeoCadastre, effectively certifying that the documentation complied with legal requirements. On the basis of these documents, the land designated for forestry use was unlawfully removed from state ownership and transferred into private ownership under the guise of a plot for running a personal peasant farm.
According to the investigation, these actions caused the state losses amounting to more than UAH 2.1 million. Both suspects are charged with abuse of office resulting in grave consequences (Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). A decision is being taken on the choice of preventive measures and their suspension from their positions.
By court decision, the registration of title to the disputed land plot has already been cancelled, and the alienated forest is to be returned to state ownership. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv region with operational support from the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proved in accordance with the law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.