A deputy forestry official was exposed for illegal sale of timber in Lviv region

A deputy forestry official was exposed for illegal sale of timber in Lviv region
Katerina Belousova

During the search, the official was found to have over 1.2 million hryvnia equivalents in cash

In Lviv region, the Security Service of Ukraine detained a deputy of one of the city councils, a forestry official, for illegally selling wood for his own enrichment.

He was detained during the regular release of wood worth almost 40 thousand hryvnias, the SBU Office in Lviv region reported on Facebook.

Although the SBU did not disclose the official's identity, media reports suggest that it is Bohdan Kopytko, a member of the Bibr city council.

facebook.com/IniciativnaBibrka

facebook.com/IniciativnaBibrka

It is noted that the official conducted illegal activities under the guise of a deputy. He sold wood using his official position as a warehouse manager. The timber was taken out of the books and without documentation.

"According to operational data, the stolen products could be used for the construction of defense systems of fortifications on the front line and the construction of protective structures for critical infrastructure," the SBU press service said.

The report emphasized that the law enforcement officers searched the office premises of the enterprise and the residence of the official. More than 1.2 million hryvnia equivalent cash was found in his possession, the origin of which is being established.

Kopytka was informed of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an illegal benefit by an official) and chose a preventive measure – detention.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that the High Anti-Corruption Court granted bail to Vitaliy Sukhovych, a deputy of the Rivne Regional Council and former chief forester of Rivne region, but the bail was reduced from UAH 192.9 million to UAH 15.14 million. The former official is suspected of illegal enrichment of more than UAH 99 million.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, in Lviv, the Lychakiv District Court began to consider the case on the claim of Anton Kosovsky to the Lviv Forestry branch for reinstatement as chief forester. He is involved in a criminal investigation for his participation in the organization of a crypto farm on the basis of the Rava-Russke Forestry branch.

Related
Damages from environmental crimes committed by officials have exceeded 2.6 billion hryvnias since 2022 – State Bureau of Investigation
Damages from environmental crimes committed by officials have exceeded 2.6 billion hryvnias since 2022 – State Bureau of Investigation

Illegal logging, mineral extraction, and water pollution are the most costly to the environment

"Forests of Ukraine" is being sued for nearly 400 million hryvnias for logging protected forests
"Forests of Ukraine" is being sued for nearly 400 million hryvnias for logging protected forests

Forestry officials organized the illegal logging of more than 9,000 trees in the Carpathians

Far more than ministers: how much do top officials at state-owned enterprises earn?
Far more than ministers: how much do top officials at state-owned enterprises earn?

The highest average salary among foresters was over 680,000 UAH per month (after taxes)

Theft of natural resources worth hundreds of millions, land contamination, deforestation: this week’s environmental crimes
Theft of natural resources worth hundreds of millions, land contamination, deforestation: this week’s environmental crimes

Due to a conspiracy involving the directors of transportation companies, the mayor, and the state registrar, the environment suffered losses of over 180 million hryvnias