Under the procedural guidance of the Zhytomyr Regional Prosecutor's Office, officials and founders of two enterprises have been notified of suspicions of fraudulently seizing over 1,747 hectares of agricultural land worth more than 15 million UAH (Part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). 

The former head of the State Land Agency in the Kirovohrad region, directors of two collective agricultural enterprises, and four other accomplices seized 152 land plots in the Malyn and Chopovytsia communities.

The schemes involved the re-registration of corporate rights of virtually inactive collective agricultural enterprises. After that, they changed the form of economic activity, allegedly covering up as successors after their liquidation, and illegally registered these lands as private property. 

As a result of these actions, the communities of the region were deprived of the right to own and manage these lands, including those covered by forests. This also made their effective use impossible, particularly the transfer for lease on a competitive basis, which led to significant losses for local budgets.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.