Director of Curonian Spit National Park Detained in Illegal Logging Investigation

Overview

• Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 260 of the Criminal Code over illegal logging using official position in an especially large amount.
• Investigators allege more than 150 cubic meters of trees were cut on roughly one hectare, with heavy equipment brought in to uproot stumps, remove timber, and level the site to conceal traces.
• The director was detained and questioned on January 14, and a search was conducted at his residence, with a pretrial restriction expected to be set soon.
• According to the investigation, the clearing was intended to prepare a site for a private tourist complex benefiting an acquaintance of the suspect.
• Park officials say operations continue under acting head Alexey Alexandrovich Ivantsov, noting staff were surprised by the detention.