Illegal Logging Exposed in Bereziv District: Criminal Consequences
Police have uncovered locals in the Bereziv district engaged in illegal logging and have charged them accordingly. The father will face criminal liability not only for his actions but also for involving his son in this unlawful activity.
In January, officers from the patrol police discovered two men, aged 56 and 17, cutting down trees in a protective forest belt owned by the Petrovyriv community.
It was found that the man had felled a total of 51 young trees, including acacias and maples. His underage son, at the father's request, was monitoring the surroundings and loading the cut wood onto a trailer.
The police seized a "VAZ" car with a trailer, the felled trees, and a chainsaw as evidence. A forensic economic examination determined that the damage to the community was 68,652 hryvnias.
With sufficient evidence gathered by investigators during the pre-trial investigation, charges were brought against the suspects for the illegal felling of trees in protective forest plantations, causing significant damage, committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy. This crime is classified under part 2 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and carries a penalty of up to five years of imprisonment. Additionally, the man was charged under part 2 of Article 304 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for involving a minor in illegal activities. This crime can lead to imprisonment for up to ten years.
The indictment has been sent to court, and the Bereziv District Prosecutor's Office will support the charges in court.
Law enforcement agencies urge citizens to protect nature and to engage in wood harvesting legally.
