Illegal Logging of Forest Plantations through an Innocent Agent: Peculiarities of Classification

Abstract

The article highlights the problem of criminal law assessment of the actions of individuals who use their official position in the commission of illegal logging of forest plantations, carried out by means of an innocent agent. There is no unified position on the issue of an innocent agent in crimes with a special subject in the criminal law. Some scientists admit the possibility of classifying wrongful acts with a special subject, performed by using non-objects, within the limits of an innocent agent; others exclude such a possibility. The author holds the first point of view. An analysis of criminal cases involving crimes, including illegal logging of forest plantations committed by an innocent agent, showed that the courts do not always take into account the way the crime was carried out - "the use for criminal purposes of persons not subject to criminal liability due to age, insanity and other conditions "- as an aggravating circumstance. It is proposed to supplement the decision of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of October 18, 2012 No. 21 "On the application by courts of legislation on liability for violations in the field of environmental protection and environmental management" with a provision on the classification of illegal logging of forest plantations, committed by an innocent agent using his official position .