According to the investigation, an employee and the actual head of one of the enterprises, who was previously a deputy of the regional council, developed a scheme for the illegal and gratuitous acquisition of land plots in the territory of Lutsk district in Volyn.

To implement the scheme, he involved a deputy of the district council, as well as the then head of the Main Department of the State Geocadastre in Volyn region, who agreed to act jointly.

Subsequently, the deputy found five servicemen with the status of combatants who have the right to receive land plots free of charge. Using their personal data and documents, the preparation of land management documentation was initiated.

Through the official of the State Geocadastre, a business entity providing services in the field of engineering, geology, and geodesy was also involved to develop land management projects for plots intended for personal farming – without the actual participation of the applicants and their personal submission of documents. 

Subsequently, on behalf of the servicemen, applications were submitted to the State Geocadastre for permits to develop the relevant documentation regarding the allocation of land plots outside the settlements of the Boratyn village council in Lutsk district of Volyn region.

At the same time, the official, knowing that the specified lands are partially located within the lands of the water fund – the protective coastal strip of the Styr River – and according to the requirements of the legislation cannot be transferred into private ownership, signed orders for their transfer without changing the intended purpose.

As a result of the illegal actions, five land plots of 2 hectares each were unlawfully transferred into private ownership. The amount of damages caused to the state exceeds 8.3 million hryvnias.

Their actions have been qualified under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• entrepreneur – part 3 of article 27, part 2 of article 28, part 2 of article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;

• district council deputy – part 5 of article 27, part 2 of article 28, part 2 of article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;

• former official of the State Geocadastre – part 2 of article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. 

Under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the defense sector of the Western region, the former official of the State Geocadastre was notified of suspicion in July of this year. During the further investigation, the involvement of the entrepreneur and the deputy in the criminal scheme was established. They were notified of suspicion this December. 

Preventive measures have already been chosen for two suspects. The consideration of the petition for the selection of a preventive measure for the entrepreneur is ongoing. At the same time, prosecutors are preparing a civil lawsuit for the recovery of damages caused to the state.

The pre-trial investigation and operational support are conducted by the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigations 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 guilty verdict of the court.