A resident of the Odesa region will face trial for the unlawful occupation of protected land. The man constructed a gazebo for leisure right within the territory of the Lower Dniester National Park. Police documented the offense, and now the fisherman faces up to two years in prison.

This was reported on Saturday, April 5, by the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa region.

A recreational area in the Lower Dniester National Nature Park. Illustrative photo: dnister.in.ua

A 62-year-old man unlawfully occupied a plot of land near the Dniester River in the Yaskiv community, right within the nature reserve. He set up a fishing zone with a gazebo without any permits.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the man had seized 33.21 m² of land that is part of the Lower Dniester National Nature Park.

"The individual used part of the state natural park for personal recreational purposes. He had no permits whatsoever," said investigator Daria Stotska.

It is known that the area he occupied is of state significance and is managed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The pre-trial investigation against the offender has been completed, and the indictment has already been sent to court. The individual has been charged with the unlawful occupation of a land plot concerning particularly valuable lands. According to the sanctions of part 2 of Article 197-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, he faces up to two years imprisonment.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that a native of Mykolaiv forged a military ID with a cancellation mark and attempted to leave Odesa for Moldova.