On the basis of factual data obtained in criminal cases with suspended proceedings initiated on the basis of various parts of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia on illegal cutting of trees in the branches of Forestry of Tumanyan and Stepanavan of the SNCO “Hayantar” from 1 to 9 March 2021, prosecutors of the Prosecutor’s Office of Lori region initiated 11 criminal cases under Article 315, Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code. They are for failure or improper performance of duties on the grounds of bad or negligence attitude by many officials of the above-mentioned branches, as a result of which the legitimate interests of the State have been seriously impaired and brought other serious consequences.

 

The Prosecutor’s Office checked the legality of the decisions on suspending the proceedings of the cases and got acquanted with the case file materials and numerous cases of cuting trees were reported, 4,416 illegally cut tree trunks of different species and diameters in 2020 were established in the branches of Forestry of Tumanyan and Stepanavan. As a result, the flora and the State suffered particularly large damage of about 182 million AMD.   

However, the preliminary investigation failed to reveal any crimes, and the perpetrators of the alleged illegal logging were not identified, so the proceedings in these cases, initiated under Article 296 of the RA Criminal Code were suspended.

 

In the result of studying the materials of the case it was found out that many trees can be in the branches of the Forestries of Tumanyan and Stepanavan of Hayantar SNCO, because they have not performed their duties properly.

 

Taking into account this fact the prosecutors have abolished those decisions and made decisions on initiating criminal case, the full, objective and comprehensive investigation was assigned to the Regional Investigative Department of Lori. The Prosecutor of the Region assigned the preliminary body to investigate properly in order to give a legal assessment to the actions of the mentioned people as soon as possible.

 

At the same time a petition was submitted to the Head of Regional Police Department of Lori regarding abolishing circumstances contributing to the crime commission, prevention.

 

It should be reminded that according to the criminal policy adopted by the RA Prosecutor's Office in the scope of fight against illegal logging, especially in the course of many cases the officials responsible for the protection of the given parts, which in this case has been provided.

 

Notice: Every person suspected in or charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent unless proved guilty in the manner prescribed by the RA Criminal Procedure Code and unless the verdict comes into legal force.