In Dnipropetrovsk region, an ancient burial site was damaged during the harvest. Here's how the court penalized those responsible.

During the harvest of corn in the Pavlograd district, a burial mound from the 2nd–1st millennium BC was damaged. This incident was addressed in court, as reported by "Vідомо" citing "Бегемот".

Ancient burial mounds, which have stood for millennia, pose challenges for contemporary agricultural practices as they serve as physical obstacles. It is also important to remember that Ukraine is home to many legally protected archaeological sites.

For instance, in the village of Morozovske in the Pavlograd district, there are archaeological sites recognizable from the surface that are protected by law according to the order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated December 22, 2017. This includes a burial mound, a protective site, and 6 mounds within its area. The mentioned burial mound is classified as an archaeological cultural heritage site, is located within a protective zone, and cannot be cultivated.

However, the law was violated.

During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the specified land plots were transferred for use to the accused based on an oral agreement between a man and the landowner starting from January 2021, who began to cultivate these lands.

On April 10, 2024, representatives of the executive committee of the Verbkovsky village council in the Pavlograd district of the Dnipropetrovsk region warned the landowners against plowing the mounds. These warnings were communicated to the accused by the landowners of the specified plots.

At the end of September 2024, the accused, using agricultural machinery and despite the warnings, harvested sunflower crops.

"He unlawfully occupied the land plots by disturbing the surface layer of soil, within the boundaries of which are archaeological objects - a burial mound, protective site No. 7301-Dp, and 6 mounds within it: as a result, he partially damaged and destroyed the boundaries of this cultural heritage site along with its protective zone," – the case materials state.

In the preliminary court session, the accused submitted a written petition for exemption from criminal liability due to a change in circumstances in accordance with Article 48 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and for the closure of the criminal proceedings, as the alleged violation regarding the land occupation had been rectified. He also expressed sincere remorse for the actions committed.

In the preliminary court session, it was established that the accused is charged with committing a criminal offense under part 2 of Article 197-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which, according to Article 12 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, is classified as a minor offense.

The court discharged the accused from criminal liability and ordered the closure of the criminal proceedings based on paragraph 1, part 2, Article 284 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.