In the Dnipropetrovsk region, the state has suffered significant material losses as a result of large-scale abuses in the field of natural resource extraction. According to Valeriy Pryhozanov, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional prosecutor’s office, there is a systematic violation of legislation regarding the use of subsoil and lands of the nature reserve fund.
This is reported by Finway
Criminal cases regarding illegal subsoil extraction
Law enforcement agencies are currently conducting procedural management in 25 criminal proceedings related to illegal activities in the field of subsoil use. One of the most high-profile cases is connected to the illegal extraction of underground mineral waters. Despite the suspension of special permits, an official from one of the enterprises organized illegal extraction and use of water for the production of goods, which were subsequently sold to the public. The damages caused by these actions exceed 2 billion hryvnias. The indictment has already been submitted to the court, and the prosecutor is demanding compensation for damages in favor of the state.
Cases regarding the extraction of sand, granite, and gas
Another case involves the director of a company who illegally extracted over 13 thousand cubic meters of sand in the Dnipro district under the guise of creating a pond. The raw material was then sold through controlled companies, with the amount of damage estimated at 290 million hryvnias. This case has already been submitted to the court.
The prosecutor’s office is also paying special attention to cases of abuse during the acquisition of special permits for the extraction of natural resources. In particular, the illegality of issuing a permit for the development of the Tokivske granite deposit has been proven in appellate proceedings: the auction was conducted with violations, and related companies were allowed to participate. As a result, by court decision, 2.4 million hryvnias have already been collected for the state budget, paid for the unlawfully issued special permit.
“In the field of subsoil use and lands of the nature reserve fund, we systematically record violations and respond to them. We are currently conducting procedural management in 25 criminal cases related to illegal subsoil use,” Pryhozanov noted.
There is also an ongoing review of the case regarding the cancellation of an illegally issued special permit for gas extraction.
Earlier, it was reported about the cessation of activities of a criminal group that illegally seized nearly 190 hectares of land in the Chernobyl exclusion zone and used this land for agricultural work.
Photo provided by the Dnipropetrovsk regional prosecutor’s office