The prosecutor's office of Lori region studied the state of legality in the process of carrying out measures taken in connection with illegal cutting of trees registered in the administrative territory of the region for 2020.

 

In the course of the study, it was found out that for 2020, 263 cases of illegal tree cutting were registered, and by 138 cases were initiated criminal cases. 7 criminal cases concerning illegal cutting of forests were initiated in connection with the corruption criminal acts of officials responsible for forest protection.

 

The damage inflicted within the framework of the mentioned criminal cases amounted to 453 million AMD. From which 1.387.780 AMD were recovered, and appropriate measures are being taken to recover the rest.

 

By 26 cases the preliminary investigation is still in process, and 29 cases with indictment were sent to court.

 

The study shows that compared with 2019 cases of illegal logging were increased by 45%. Despite the fact that the study testifies to the measures taken by the subdivisions of the Lori region of the RA Police and "Hayantar" SNCO in the direction of registering illegal cutting of trees, however, the quantitative increase in cutting shows shortcomings in the process of identifying persons who carry out criminal cutting.

 

The presence of problems is evidenced by a large number of criminal cases suspended due to the failure to identify the persons carrying out the criminal logging. At the same time, illegal cutting of 3890 trees was registered by the suspended criminal cases, and the damage caused amounted to 250.443,.270 AMD.

 

The study of the materials of such criminal cases shows that some cases were continuous, but were clearly outside the field of vision of the state bodies responsible for the protection of forests.

 

Based on the above circumstances established during the study and especially considering the fact that such negative tendencies were manifested in order to take effective measures towards the use of an effective fight against illegal cutting of trees, in the context of petitions addressed by the regional prosecutor's office to the competent authorities, prosecutor of Lori region Karen Gabrielyan turned to the Deputy Chief of the RA Police with the request for activation of the functions arising from the competence of the police.