In 2020, 502 cases of illegal logging were detected in the territory of the region. Criminal cases were initiated by 138 cases, which is compared with the last year is by 8.6% more.

 

The damage inflicted to the state by 20 criminal cases under the procedural lead or supervision of the prosecutors of the Tavush region amounted to 170 million AMD. 24 proposals were sent by the prosecutor's office to citizens for voluntary restoration of damage in the amount of 17 million AMD. In order to recover the unrestored amount of damage, the prosecutors sent letters to the state competent authorities.

 

For 2020 with an indictment, 25 criminal cases were sent to the court against 28 persons regarding illegal tree cutting.

 

The positive indicator of detecting cases of illegal cutting of forests is also due to the criminal policy of the RA Prosecutor's Office, according to which during the investigation of each criminal act, the possibility of corruption involvement of officials responsible for forest protection becomes a mandatory subject of investigation.

 

During 2020 as a result of negligent attitude to the service by competent authorities of the “Hayantar” SNCO on the fact of failure to fulfill their duties under the procedural lead or supervision of the prosecutors of the Prosecutor's Office of  Tavush region, 10 criminal cases were initiated, by which the preliminary investigation is still in process. 2 foresters were charged with corruption.

 

As a result of the criminal acts of the competent authorities by the indicated criminal case, the state suffered damage in the amount of 96 million AMD.

 

The prosecutor's office of the region, within the framework of the fight against illegal cutting of forests, sent 14 messages to the competent officials of “Hayantar” SNCO and other state bodies, and 2 petitions to carry out an disciplinary investigation. As a result, various disciplinary measures were applied against officials who did not complete their work, including in the form of suspension from work. Moreover, this happens under the conditions of permission or inattention of the officials responsible for their work - foresters, directors of forestry. As a result of the measures taken by the prosecutor of the region, the officials were subject to disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal.

 

In 2021 the criminal-legal fight against illegal logging continues to be a priority of the prosecutor's office of Tavush region.