The company leased the land for 40 years, failed to pay a single kopeck to the budget for three years, and unlawfully subleased three plots. The prosecutor’s office filed a lawsuit with the Commercial Court.
The Uzhhorod District Prosecutor’s Office is taking representative legal action to protect the property rights of the local community. A complaint has been filed with the Commercial Court of Zakarpattia Oblast on behalf of the Syurtiv Village Council seeking the compulsory return of four large agricultural land plots with a total area of nearly 70 hectares.
According to the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the private company acting as the lessee cynically ignored its contractual obligations and caused significant losses to the local budget.
Timeline of the deal: 40 years of rent-free use
In December 2023, the Syurtiv Village Council entered into long-term lease agreements with a commercial enterprise for a term of 40 years. The land, covering an area of approximately 70 hectares, was allocated for commercial agricultural production.
However, as prosecutors discovered during their investigation:
- Zero payments: From the moment the documents were signed and the lease rights were registered with the state, the company failed to pay a single rent payment to the community treasury for three years;
- Subleasing: Despite failing to pay the community, the unscrupulous lessee managed to sublease three of the four land plots to third parties;
- Amount of losses: As of today, the accumulated debt for land use has already exceeded 326,000 hryvnias.
What the Prosecutor’s Office Is Seeking in Its Lawsuit
To protect the interests of the residents of the Syurtivska territorial community, the prosecutor’s office filed a comprehensive lawsuit with the Commercial Court of Zakarpattia Oblast, seeking:
- Recover the debt: Compulsorily collect more than 326,000 hryvnias in rent arrears from the company.
- Terminate the contracts: to terminate the existing long-term land lease agreements.
- Cancel registration: terminate the state registration of property rights to all four land plots.
- Return the land to the community: to compel the company to vacate the 70-hectare plots and return them to the direct control of the village council.
Currently, the Commercial Court of Zakarpattia Oblast has opened proceedings in the case.
