At Pulkovo Airport, Central and Northwest Operational Customs officers blocked the import of 32 undeclared 19th-century cultural objects worth more than RUB 3 million. Source: FCS Russia.
During selective checks on the “green” channel, a 51-year-old German national was stopped. His carry-on and suitcase held cultural valuables, including a mid-19th-century silver-gilt oklad of the Korsun Mother of God icon and a late-19th-century ribbon for the Order of St Andrew the First-Called; he also produced medals and insignia from his jacket pockets.
The traveller said he planned to sell the items at auction. Expert review confirmed that every seized piece has special historical value.
A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(1) of the Criminal Code (large-scale smuggling of cultural property), carrying up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RUB 1 million.
