In Kharkiv, the SBU exposed involvement of a director of a coke plant in environmental pollution. The CEO was served a suspicion notice, and the plant was temporarily shut down.

SBU officers established that managers organized a production cycle with gross violations of environmental regulations. For eight months, the plant carried out excessive emissions of pollutants into the air without a permit.

The company's management was previously held liable for non-compliance with air protection requirements. Nevertheless, officials failed to comply with state regulatory requirements for mandatory emission permits. The businessmen also ignored protests of local residents against violations of environmental legislation.

Due to proactive measures of the SBU and the State Ecological Inspection, the Kharkiv District Administrative Court temporarily suspended production activity of the coke plant until all necessary permits were obtained.

The director of the enterprise received a suspicion notice for air pollution.

The investigation is ongoing to identify and prosecute all officials responsible for causing damage to the environment and public health.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate of Economic Counterintelligence Protection of State's Interests jointly with the State Ecological Inspection in Kharkiv region and investigators of the National Police of Ukraine under the supervision of the Novobavarskyi District Prosecutor’s Office in Kharkiv.

To remind, during a meeting in the Prosecutor General’s Office SBU Head Ivan Bakanov said that, due to SBU reports, 184 criminal proceedings relating to ecological crimes were instituted.

Note:

According to Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until his guilt is proved in a lawful manner and established by a court conviction.