In Lviv region, the SBU blocked an illegal scheme of state forest land privatization. A local state registrar was among the organizers of the scheme.

Allegedly, local businesspersons set up a scheme of illegal privatization of the state forest-seed center lands, belonging to Briukhovychi village council. The suspects forged a package of documents on privatization of almost 2 hectares of state land, including the village council decision.

The involved state registrar issued certificates for six land plots on fictitious persons and resold them several times. According to preliminary estimates, the market value of the land plots is almost UAH 20 m (USD 715,000).

During the searches of the organizers’ offices and residences, the law enforcement officers seized:

• documents;
• electronic media;
• draft records;
• other evidence of illegal activity.

Two participants and the organizer of the scheme received the suspicion notices of money laundering and abuse of power by persons providing public services.

By decision of the court, one of the perpetrators is already under night house arrest.

The investigation is ongoing to identify State Geocadastre officials and a number of other officials and individuals who may be involved in the illegal scheme.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Office in Lviv region together with the Lviv region National Police investigators under the supervision of Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.