The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and the State Ecological Safety Service under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources conducted a joint operation to identify and detain people involved in illegal tree felling and processing in forest areas across Azerbaijan.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs told “Operative Information Center-OMM”.
The Main Directorate received operational information about the mass illegal felling of valuable tree species in the area of Kish village in Shaki district, the ministry said. Measures taken led to the identification and detention of district residents Hummat Feyzullayev, Nuyvar Babayev, Sarkhan Hummatov, Taleh Abdullayev, Rustam Maharramov and Gamlo Nasirli, who are suspected of illegally cutting down the trees.
Investigators found that the suspects illegally cut down and processed the trees before selling them. During an inspection of the area, the roots of more than 100 beech trees felled by the detainees were found. Experts determined that some of the illegally felled trees were between 100 and 150 years old.
Investigations and monitoring measures are continuing to prevent illegal logging, detect such cases in a timely manner and identify other people responsible so they can be held accountable:
“We again urge citizens to understand that the illegal cutting, destruction or damage of trees and other green spaces is unacceptable. Such actions harm nature and ecological balance and, in cases specified by law, may result in criminal liability.
Citizens are asked to treat the protection of green spaces with care and to immediately inform the police if they encounter such cases.”
