Two former directors of the communal enterprise of the Novoorzhytska territorial community are suspected of illegal extraction of groundwater and violation of established rules for the use of subsoil, which caused the state losses exceeding 450 million UAH.

According to the investigation, the directors, leading the enterprise at different times, extracted groundwater with a total volume of over 300 thousand cubic meters from 23 artesian wells without special permits for subsoil use and water use.

As a result of these actions, from August 2021 to June 2024, the state suffered millions in losses, as confirmed by the conclusion of a forensic examination.

The former officials are charged under Part 4 of Article 240 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal extraction of minerals of national significance, as well as violation of established rules for the use of subsoil, which caused severe consequences).

Currently, the issue of choosing preventive measures for the suspects is being resolved.

Under the procedural guidance of the Lubny District Prosecutor's Office, the pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Lubny Police Department, with operational support from the special police sector of the criminal police department of the Poltava Regional Police.

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 guilty verdict of the court.