The lawyer recalled the criminal liability for harvesting firewood without permission.

Harvesting firewood in the forest without proper permission can result in fines and even criminal liability. Evgeny Zharov, lawyer and managing partner of the Zharov Group, told the Prime agency about this on March 29.

According to the expert, it is allowed to collect deadwood in the forest in any volume and at any time of the year. However, he noted that it is possible to collect deadwood for free and freely, subject to the rules of a particular subject of the Russian Federation, which may limit the places and methods of collection. So, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with local laws, since in some places the collection of dry branches and trees is prohibited. At the same time, you cannot use specialized equipment. Hand saws, axes and chainsaws are allowed to be used when harvesting dead wood.

"Punishment threatens both individuals and legal entities if they are engaged in cutting down dead wood or windfall without coordination with the forest authorities," Zharov said.

He noted that illegal logging can be prosecuted under Article 8.28 of the Administrative Code ("Illegal logging, damage to forest stands or unauthorized digging of trees, shrubs, lianas in forests") or Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Illegal logging of forest stands").

In the first case, the fine for individuals ranges from 4 to 5 thousand rubles with confiscation of illegally harvested resources and equipment. In the second case, if the felling was significant (damage was more than 5 thousand rubles), then the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of 100-200 thousand rubles. At the same time, for logging on an especially large scale (damage of more than 150 thousand rubles), imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of 300-500 thousand rubles is provided.

"It is important that the tree has signs of natural death: absence of needles and foliage, discoloration of the wood and cessation of sap flow, lying on the ground without traces of cutting or felling," the lawyer said.

In addition, it is impossible to take a dead tree if a tree or part of it is cut down or felled, since it may be someone else's property and you will have to answer for its theft according to the law. According to Zharov, if a forest plot is leased, then the law does not prohibit visiting it and collecting dead wood, but it is recommended to discuss this with the tenant.

"We're not working on having a security guard standing by every tree," he said

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Dmitry Bezdelin, a leading lawyer at the European Legal Service, told the Prime agency on March 12 that when collecting firewood in the forest, it is necessary to clearly understand which tree is allowed. He also noted that it is important to observe the procedure for collecting dead wood in order not to receive a fine.