NABU Investigates Director of Khotyn National Park

The Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of Chernivtsi Region has transferred to the NABU and SAPO criminal proceedings on suspicion of the director of the Khotynsky National Nature Park, Heorhiy Popovetsky, of receiving $65,000 in illegal gain. The investigation into the case has been extended until April 10, 2025 inclusive.

This is stated in the decisions of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court and confirmed by the interlocutors of "Word and Deed" in law enforcement agencies.

As is known, on October 9, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Chernivtsi Regional Police Department detained Popovetsky. According to the investigation, the businessman contacted the director of the Khotyn National Park to arrange a long-term lease of land plots in the park for the construction of a recreation center. The official told him that he would sign lease agreements for $65,000.

On September 11, Popovetsky signed the first agreement on the long-term use of a land plot for the purpose of carrying out recreational activities for a period of 25 years. On October 9, the director of the Khotyn National Park signed two more similar agreements on the provision of two plots of land with an area of ​​​​0.12 hectares each. On the same day, he received $65 thousand and was detained.

Later, the case was transferred to the NABU. Therefore, the detective requested that the investigation be extended for up to six months.

The request of the senior detective of the NABU to extend the term of the pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings is granted. To extend the term of the pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings on suspicion (of Popovetsky - ed.) of committing a criminal offense provided for in Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code, until April 10, 2025 inclusive

As a reminder, the Appeal left the Rivne Customs official suspended.

We also wrote that the court left the convicted former deputy head of Pivdendiproshakht in pre-trial detention.