In Kyiv, fines for destruction of architectural monuments to be increased
The authorities acknowledged that the current sanctions do not stop developers from destroying the cultural heritage of the capital.
Kyiv authorities intend to significantly tighten responsibility for violations of legislation in the sphere of cultural heritage protection. This concerns both a multiple increase in fines and the introduction of criminal liability for the destruction of architectural monuments.
As reported by Maryna Solovyova, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection of the Kyiv City State Administration, in an interview with "Your City", the current sanctions remain extremely low and practically do not fulfill a deterrent function.
"The current fines are extremely low: for individuals – 1,700 hryvnias, for legal entities – from 17 to 170 thousand hryvnias," she noted.
According to the official, such amounts are incomparable with the profit that developers can receive. "If an owner wants to destroy an object and build a high-rise building in its place, the fine is not a deterrent factor for them," she emphasized.
Among the proposed changes are increasing fines to 1.7-3 million hryvnias, introducing criminal liability for the destruction of monuments, as well as strengthening the control system. Corresponding amendments have already been developed jointly with people's deputies, however, at the moment they have not yet been adopted.
As the UOJ reported, in Kyiv region, architects demand the demolition of a ROCOR monastery.
