The SBU exposed alienation of state-owned agricultural land (5,000 hectares). Officials of the State Geocadastre organized the illegal activity on behalf of the management of a large agricultural holding.

SBU operatives found that the top management of agricultural holding involved a number of commercial structures in the unlawful scheme.

The offenders illegally obtained passport data of socially vulnerable
and low-income citizens who did not exercise their right to free privatization
of land. Using connections with the State Geocadastre officials, the perpetrators drew up documents to alienate the land.

After registration of the property right, notaries helped the organizers
to conduct purchase and sale operations without participation of real owners. 

In this way, the land became the property of commercial firms affiliated with one of the largest agricultural holdings in the region.

The pre-trial investigation documented that the offenders alienated almost 5,000 hectares of agricultural land in Chernihiv, Sumy and Cherkasy regions. According to preliminary estimates, state losses amounted to almost UAH 80 m. (circa USD 3 m.).

Law enforcement officers conducted over ten searches of the offices
of agricultural holding and commercial structures involved in illegal activity. The SBU seized:

• documents;
• drafts;
• computer equipment proving the illegal activity.

The investigation is carried out for abuse of authority or office; fraud.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the case and bring to justice persons involved in the unlawful activity.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Chernihiv region jointly with the Department of Strategic Investigations, investigators of the National Police Department in Chernihiv region, under the supervision of Chernihiv Region Prosecutor's Office.