Sviatoslav Biloberezhzhia Park Director Released on ₴ 605,600 Bail Amid Embezzlement Charges

The director of the Sviatoslav Biloberezhzhia National Nature Park was released from the Mykolaiv pre-trial detention center after posting bail in the amount of UAH 605,600. The detainee is suspected of receiving illegal benefits from his subordinates.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Ingulsky District Court.

The incident occurred back in 2023, when the director, who was authorized to deal with personnel issues, organized a scheme to obtain money from park employees. To do this, he involved his deputy and chief accountant, who made calculations and transferred part of the employees' salaries to the management.

According to the case file, in December 2024, during the transfer of funds in a Renault Duster, an illegal transaction in the amount of UAH 340,650 was recorded. The director was served a notice of suspicion in the framework of criminal proceedings under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

After the detention, the court imposed a custodial measure of restraint with the possibility of bail.

In July 2023, the director of the Sviatoslav Biloberezhzhzhia National Nature Park was served a notice of suspicion of misappropriation of property by abuse of office.

Together with his deputy and chief accountant, since 2022, he had been forcing 10 park employees to pay 200% of their accrued bonuses every month. Those who refused to pay were intimidated by being laid off or transferred to freelance positions.

Over the course of two years, the park's management embezzled more than UAH 5 million. In the most recent case of extortion, which led to the detention of the officials on December 26, 2024, the amount of money was 340 thousand hryvnias.

The suspects have now been served with a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - extortion and obtaining undue advantage by officials, which can result in up to 10 years in prison.

The suspect was released after paying the specified bail amount, and the term of his duties was extended until May 25, 2025.

Also in the region, the director of the company is accused of negligence for overestimating the cost of construction work during the reconstruction of the Oleksandrivska school. The company was supposed to perform work worth more than UAH 15 million. The trial is ongoing, but the verdict has not yet been delivered.

In addition, in Mykolaiv region, an official of the Department of Education and Humanitarian Affairs was suspected of embezzling budget funds allocated for the repair of a lyceum shelter. The department signed a contract for the repair of the shelter in the Ochakiv lyceum worth a total of UAH 3 million. The court imposed a house arrest as a measure of restraint on the suspect.

Анна Бальчінос