A former aide to a Member of Parliament and a member of the regional council are to stand trial in Zakarpattia over the illegal seizure of woodland
In Zakarpattia Oblast, a former aide to a Member of Parliament from the banned Opposition Platform – For Life party and a current member of the Zakarpattia Oblast Council have found themselves in the dock. The case concerns the illegal use of forest land within the territory of the Uzhhorod Forest District.
According to investigators from the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police in Zakarpattia Oblast, 2.4 hectares of forest worth over 150 million hryvnias were transferred for private use without the proper paperwork.
Investigators established that one of the beneficiaries of the property complex is a 59-year-old MP from the OPZZh, who is suspected of treason and financing the Russian National Guard. He exercised control over the complex through trusted individuals and his former assistant, who managed the companies and served as director of the holiday complex.
In the absence of legal grounds, the former assistant unlawfully occupied over 2.4 hectares of forest for the operation of the hotel and restaurant complex. To conceal this fact, the property was registered in the name of one company, whilst the actual operations were conducted through another.
A member of the Transcarpathian Regional Council, who also headed the forestry department, failed to take measures to stop the illegal use of the land and did not report this to the relevant authorities.
After evidence was gathered, the suspects were notified of the charges against them. The indictment against the manager of the hotel and restaurant complex and the regional council deputy has been sent to court.
Their actions are classified under articles concerning the unlawful seizure of a land plot and construction on it, as well as official negligence resulting in serious consequences.
The pre-trial investigation was conducted by investigators from the Territorial Directorate of the State Bureau of Investigation in Lviv and the Investigative Directorate of the Transcarpathian Regional Police. Procedural supervision was provided by the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigative measures were carried out jointly with the Department of Internal and Economic Security of the State Forestry Service of Ukraine.
In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
