Kharkiv region forestry director suspected of embezzling over UAH 50 million

On August 3, 2021, NABU and SAPO detained the director of one of the Kharkiv region state forestry enterprises and the head of a company under the director's control (his relative). They are charged with misappropriating wood worth over UAH 50 million. Both of them were detained under Art. 208 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and will soon be notified of suspicion.

On the same day, NABU and SAPO notified two other private companies' executives of suspicion of seizing the property of the mentioned state enterprises. Their actions fall under Part 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As established, the director of one of the Kharkiv region state forestry enterprises (at the time of the crime) and the heads of companies under his control invented a corruption scheme to sell wood at discounted prices to them. Overall, during 2018-2019, about 15 thousand cubic meters of wood were sold, while the forestry's revenue loss made UAH 50 million.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Other possible participants in the commission of the crime are being identified.

As previously reported, in October 2019, the said state forestry director tried to avoid criminal liability for the wood misappropriation. In order for the case to be closed, he offered and gave to a NABU Detective a USD 100 thousand bribe.

The official was caught red-handed and notified of suspicion. In July 2020, the probe was completed and the case was referred to the High Anti-Corruption Court.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.