ESBU detectives uncover illegal exploitation of state-owned land in the Volyn region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Volyn region have uncovered the illegal transfer of nearly 1,000 hectares of state-owned land for private use.

The investigation found that officials from a state agricultural research enterprise in the Lutsk district colluded with the head of a private company to transfer nine state-owned land plots for actual use by a private firm. This transfer was carried out without any legal grounds or proper documentation.

The private enterprise planted corn on these lands and generated profit, resulting in over UAH 8 million in losses to the state.

Detectives have notified three individuals of suspicion: the director of the private enterprise for organizing the abuse of office (Part 3, Art. 27; Part 2, Art. 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), the former acting head of the state enterprise for abuse of power (Part 2, Art. 364), and the acting farm manager for aiding in the abuse of office (Part 5, Art. 27; Part 2, Art. 364).

The pretrial investigation is ongoing to identify all accomplices. The agricultural crops have been seized under a court order.

Operational support is provided by the SSU in the Volyn region, with prosecution managed by the Volyn Regional Prosecutor’s Office.