The former first deputy head of the Main Department of the State Land Agency in the Transcarpathian region has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office committed by a group of individuals in collusion (part 2 of article 28, part 2 of article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, in 2014, the official illegally transferred over 2.6 hectares of land from the nature reserve fund in Uzhhorod into private ownership. These plots were part of the territory of the botanical garden of Uzhhorod National University and had a nature conservation purpose with a special legal regime. Therefore, they could not be transferred for private use.

The suspect, by signing orders, removed the lands from the nature reserve fund and transferred them to fictitious persons as agricultural land. The plots were then resold, and their intended use was changed to gardening land, which enabled the construction of residential buildings on the territory.

According to the expert conclusion, at the time of the crime, the value of this land was over 1.35 million UAH.

Within the framework of the criminal proceedings, other individuals who may be involved in the illegal scheme are being identified.

Under the procedural guidance of the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office, the pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigation located in Lviv.

Note: according to article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.