Due to illegal subsoil extraction causing over UAH 1.5 billion in losses to the state in 5 regions, 9 suspects have been notified, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported on Monday on social media, UNN writes.
Illegal subsoil extraction. Over UAH 1.5 billion in losses caused to the state. 5 regions. 9 suspects
The Prosecutor General noted: "Subsoil is the exclusive property of the people of Ukraine and is provided only for use with clearly defined rules and conditions. But there are those who consider them optional and turn state resources into a source of personal enrichment."
"The suspects are heads of state and municipal enterprises, officials of state companies, a mayor, a bankruptcy trustee-liquidator of one enterprise, and a representative of private business. In total, they extracted over 450 thousand cubic meters of minerals of national importance without special permits or in violation of their conditions and validity periods," Kravchenko reported.
According to him, this concerns granite, gabbro, groundwater, and other natural resources.
In particular, in one episode, according to the Prosecutor General, the suspects illegally extracted over 375 thousand cubic meters of granite from a deposit. To do this, they carried out at least 12 blasting operations. The losses caused to the state exceeded UAH 1 billion 255 million.
In another episode, the Prosecutor General indicated, without a special permit, they extracted over 60 thousand cubic meters of groundwater from 30 wells, which were used for centralized water supply to community residents. Losses – over UAH 12.6 million.
And these are only isolated cases, Kravchenko emphasized.
"Also, participants in the schemes embezzled state property and abused their official positions. For illegal extraction, they even cynically used state equipment," he noted.
"The people's right of ownership to subsoil is not a declaration. Its violation entails liability. Regardless of position. There is a crime – there will be liability. We continue to work," Kravchenko stressed.