The Pidhayets District Court of Ternopil Region has issued a verdict in a case of large-scale illegal logging involving an assistant forester. The court considered criminal proceedings No. 605/412/23.
According to the investigation, the accused, while in the company's forest areas near the village of Volitsa, Ternopil district, intentionally illegally felled trees of various species. The actions were carried out without a special permit — a logging ticket — and in violation of the requirements of environmental legislation and the Forest Code of Ukraine.
The case file states that a total of 900 trees were illegally cut down. According to experts, these actions caused environmental damage in the amount of 3,326,665.35 hryvnias, which significantly exceeds the threshold of serious consequences set by law.
The court found the assistant forester guilty and sentenced him to 5 years and 1 month in prison. In addition, the man was deprived of the right to hold organizational, managerial and administrative positions in the forestry sector for a period of three years.
The court also fully satisfied the civil lawsuit of the State Environmental Inspectorate in Ternopil region and ruled to recover UAH 3,905,784.87 from the convicted person to compensate for the damage caused to the environment.
The court's verdict has not yet entered into force. The parties have the right to appeal it within 30 days from the date of its announcement.
