An investigation into the development of a market in Odesa is underway: a court has placed a freeze on the land and real estate

The investigation into one of Odessa’s largest industrial markets has taken a new turn. According to investigators, permanent structures were illegally built on the site for years, in violation of the lease terms.

This was reported by Intent, citing a ruling by the Khadzhibey District Court of Odessa

According to the investigation, in 2000, the Odessa City Council leased nearly 11.9 hectares of land on 25th Chapaevskaya Division Street (now Inglese Street) for the operation of a consumer goods market, garages, and parking lots. The terms of land use were later clarified, and in January 2001, the parties officially signed a lease agreement. The agreement explicitly prohibited changing the designated use of the plot or constructing new permanent structures.

At the time the plot was transferred, an industrial goods market, open-air parking lots, and garage parking lots were already operating there. The only permanent structures on the site were two control rooms, an administrative building, and a storage facility with a total area of approximately 493 square meters.

Law enforcement officials claim that despite these restrictions, new stores, utility buildings, a service station, garages, restrooms, and other structures appeared on the market’s grounds over the following years. Some of these were built without permits and without being commissioned, after which they were registered as real estate.

The case file indicates that as early as 2019, the Odesa City Council’s Department of State Architectural and Construction Control, during an inspection, documented the unauthorized operation of a number of structures and issued an order to rectify the violations. However, according to the investigation, these requirements were not met.

Law enforcement officials paid particular attention to the state registration of a large complex of non-residential buildings at the industrial market, with a total built-up area of over 44,000 square meters. Investigators believe that the registration took place despite the absence of documents granting the right to construct and commission the facilities.

In addition, the investigation raises the issue of a possible encroachment beyond the boundaries of the leased territory. According to investigators, the actual built-up area and land use exceeded the boundaries of the plot transferred to the company for use. Law enforcement officials also believe that part of the land may have been leased without conducting the mandatory land auction, even though this was required by law.

The investigator filed a motion with the court to seize the property in order to prevent its transfer, re-registration, or the performance of any construction work until the investigation is completed.

The court agreed with the investigation’s arguments and seized the complex of non-residential buildings at the industrial market, as well as land plots with a total area of 11.8 hectares and newly formed plots. 

Furthermore, an attempt to convert unauthorized construction into an official company asset resulted in a court ruling in Odesa. The court examined a scheme in which the illegally constructed real estate was not only registered but also included in the company’s authorized capital. 

Анна Бальчінос