On December 27, 2024, the Kovel City District Court of the Volyn region reviewed the criminal proceedings on the accusation of a software engineer and his unemployed accomplice in illegal deforestation. We tell you the details.
On December 27, 2024, the Kovel City District Court of the Volyn region reviewed the criminal proceedings on the accusation of a software engineer and his unemployed accomplice in illegal deforestation. We tell you the details.
According to the case materials, on April 6, 2023, at about 5:00 p.m., the men, acting intentionally, guided by a single intention, for selfish motives and for the purpose of their own profit, while on a forestry plot in the «Skotomogylnyk» tract near the village of Sytovychi, Kovel district, Volyn region, without special permits for the use of forest resources, deliberately and illegally felled twelve pine trees and an oak tree using a chainsaw.
After that, they cut the tree trunk into pieces, loaded them into a VOLKSWAGEN LT35 truck, and transported the illegally felled wood to their place of residence. However, on the way out of the village of Sytovychi, Kovel district, Volyn region, the vehicle was stopped by police officers.
As a result of illegal felling of trees, serious consequences were caused to the environment for a total amount of UAH 86,588.68, which exceeds the tax-free minimum income of citizens by sixty or more times at the time of the crime.
And on August 9, the thieves also cut down three pine trees without the appropriate permits. At that time, the damage was estimated at 40,942.84 UAH.
The court found the men guilty of violating environmental laws. The programmer and his accomplice were sentenced to 5 years in prison, which was later replaced with 1 year of probation.
The men must also pay to the budget the costs of conducting forensic traceological and forensic examinations, a total of UAH 37,100.16.
The verdict may be appealed to the Volyn Court of Appeal through the Kovel City District Court by filing an appeal within thirty days from the date of its pronouncement.
