Customs officers found 12 Orthodox icons in a foreign national’s baggage. Source: FCS Russia.
Sheremetyevo officers detected 12 undeclared icons worth RUB 1.3 million carried by a Greek citizen arriving from Belgrade.
He was stopped in the green channel during selective control. The images were packed in suitcases among personal belongings; the traveller said he had bought them at home for EUR 2,800.
Experts dated the icons to the early 21st century: wood, gesso, tempera and gilding. They include Our Lady of Portaitissa, St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Our Lady Quick to Hear, Great Martyr Panteleimon and St George the Victorious.
He was fined RUB 682,000 — half the goods’ value — under Article 16.2(1) of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences for failure to declare goods.
