In Odesa region, SBU blocked the illegal alienation of agricultural land worth over UAH 80 million (USD 2,758,621) from the united territorial community.

Allegedly, the management of the local commercial entity set up a scheme to appropriate land plots of the local united territorial community. For a long time, these agricultural lands were used by the businessmen. The SBU also documented that the businessmen misappropriated part of the land plots during the transfer of land from state to community ownership.

During the pre-trial investigation, SBU operatives established that the suspects, using forged documents, illegally withdrew 52 land plots with total area of 1,300 ha from community property.

Within the initiated criminal proceedings, the law enforcement officers conducted searches of the offenders’ residences and found documents proving the illegal re-registration of land plots. Thanks to the SBU operation, the land plots were attached. The issue of returning the land plot to community ownership is being resolved.

The founder of the commercial entity was served a suspicion notice of misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by malversation, as well as of forgery in office.

Investigations are ongoing to prosecute all those involved in the fraud, including officials of the state authorities.

The exposing operation was carried out under the supervision of the Odesa Region Prosecutor's Office.