HACC acquits former director of Khotynskyi National Park, SAPO to appeal
The High Anti-Corruption Court found the former director of the Khotynsky National Nature Park, Georgy Popovetsky, not guilty of receiving $65,000 in illegal benefits. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office will appeal the verdict. The press services of the bodies reported this, but did not specify the name of the accused.
According to "Word and Deed", this is precisely Popovetsky, who was investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation.
On February 12, the HACC passed a verdict, finding him not guilty and acquitting the former director of the Khotynsky National Nature Park of committing a criminal offense under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The court concluded that the actions of the former director of the Khotynsky National Nature Park were the result of provocation by law enforcement agencies, therefore the evidence in the criminal proceedings was obtained as a result of a significant violation of human rights and freedoms. This became the basis for passing an acquittal in accordance with Part 3 of Part 1 of Article 373 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
At the same time, the SAPO stated that they disagree with the decision and will file an appeal.
The SAPO prosecutor disagrees with the court's decision and will defend his position in the court of appeal.
Georhiy Popovetsky is a figure in the EBK database.
As a reminder, the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of Chernivtsi Region transferred the case of the director of the Khotyn National Park, Georgy Popovetsky, to the NABU and SAPO. According to the investigation, the businessman applied to the director of the Khotyn National Park to register 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 thousand.
On September 11, 2024, 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.
