Forests of Ukraine calls CEO charges pressure over industry de-shadowing efforts

The detention of Yuriy Bolokhovets, general director of the state enterprise Forests of Ukraine by law enforcement officials and his indictment for illegal enrichment is nothing more than pressure due to his principled position in implementing market mechanisms for the sale of timber and de-shadowing of the forestry sector, the state enterprise has said.

"The pressure on Yuriy Bolokhovets, the general director of the state enterprise Forests of Ukraine is related to his principled position regarding transparent market mechanisms for the sale of timber and systematic work on de-shadowing of the forestry sector," the press service of the state enterprise said on Telegram.

According to the state enterprise, the investigation's version is based not on facts, but on assumptions that have been repeatedly refuted with arguments.

During the seizure of data carriers, phones, and computer equipment, according to Forests of Ukraine, no violation of the law by Yuriy Bolokhovets was confirmed.

"All assets of Yuriy Bolokhovets are listed in the declaration. The objects that Yuriy Bolokhovets' family rents belong to real owners with confirmed income and were acquired legally," Forests of Ukraine said.

As reported, on July 21, Director General Bolokhovets was notified of suspicion of illicit enrichment (Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, in 2021, while serving as Head of the State Forestry Agency, Bolokhovets acquired assets worth UAH 10.4 million, which exceed legal income. Among them is an apartment in Kyiv worth over UAH 9 million, registered to a front person, but in fact it was used by Bolokhovets.

“According to the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP), the difference between official income and acquired property is UAH 7.9 million. The suspect has been detained," the Prosecutor General noted and added that Bolokhovets is a category "A" civil servant, therefore this status carries special responsibility.