Based on materials of the SBI, three employees of the State Specialized Forest Enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» will be judged for attempting to seize oak trees worth nearly UAH 7 million

The State Bureau of Investigation consistently combats crimes in the forestry sector, ranging from corrupt managers in central offices to local foresters. Any attempts to turn state resources into a source of illegal enrichment are considered as a crime against the state and will be subject to severe legal consequences.

The employees of the SBI have completed a pre-trial investigation into three forestry engineers from one of the branches of the State Specialized Forest Enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» in Zhytomyr region. They attempted to steal timber worth almost UAH 6.8 million.

The indictment has been sent to the court.

According to the investigation, between 2023 and 2024, the suspects underestimated the volume of commercial oak timber, as well as the thickness and technical suitability of trees in the forestry entrusted to them.

This led to the existence of unaccounted round timber worth approximately UAH 6.8 million, which officials planned to appropriate.

The perpetrators did not manage to cut down these trees because they were caught by law enforcement officers.

The defendants are charged with attempted misappropriation of property through abuse of official position, committed by a group of persons acting in concert, on an especially large scale (Part 3 of Article 15, Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and preparation for the acquisition of property through abuse of official position, committed repeatedly, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, on an especially large scale (Part 1 of Article 14, Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the articles provides for a sentence of up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General.