The court has mandated the establishment of a protective agreement for the 15th-century Customs House in Khotyn.

The Ternopil District Administrative Court, upon the request of prosecutors, mandated the establishment of a preservation agreement for the architectural monument of the 15th century – the Customs House. This structure was located near the marketplace in Khotyn and functioned as a customs office until the early 19th century. In 2014, the Customs House was transferred to private ownership; however, since then, the private entity has not entered into a preservation agreement.

According to information from the state historical and architectural reserve "Khotyn Fortress," the Customs House was built in Khotyn in the 15th century. The building was situated near the marketplace, where customs duties were primarily paid for the sale of horses. The customs office operated until the early 19th century. The trading house was placed under state protection as an architectural monument by the order of the representative of the President of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region in 1994.

However, prosecutors from the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office established that in 2014, this building was transferred to private ownership.

"At the same time, its owner violated the Law of Ukraine 'On the Protection of Cultural Heritage,' as in 2014, they did not enter into a preservation agreement with the Department of Culture of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, which made it impossible to fulfill obligations regarding its proper maintenance, restoration, and preservation,” – reported the Bukovina Prosecutor's Office on Friday, January 10.

Establishing a preservation agreement is a mandatory procedure for buildings that have historical and architectural value. Such a document sets the rules for the use of the building. Furthermore, it stipulates that no renovations or alterations to the architectural monument can be made without special permits. This agreement must be concluded no later than one month after the ownership of the architectural monument changes.

The Ternopil District Administrative Court fully granted the lawsuit of the Bukovina prosecutors and obligated the company to sign a preservation agreement for the Customs House.