Finland has seized more than 42m euros worth of works of art en route to Russia and subject to European Union sanctions.
In particular, according to Bloomberg, the works of art were in museums in Italy and Japan on loan and were confiscated at the Finnish-Russian border on April 2 and 3.
The consignments contained paintings, statues and antiques, addressed to a number of Russian museums, Finnish authorities said.
The works still belong to Russia and were confiscated as evidence, but were not confiscated, authorities added.
According to a representative of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country is aware of the international treaties that protect cultural heritage in times of war and is consulting with the European Commission on their implementation in the context of sanctions.
On the Russian side, according to the Duma website, President Vyacheslav Volodin ordered an investigation into the seizure of works of art and called for measures to be proposed.
“As for the paintings that were kept, they will be returned and fined. Those who did that in Finland probably do not remember their history well,” Volodin said.
This is a development that follows Finland’s move in late March to “legalize” 21 yachts to investigate whether their owners are subject to sanctions imposed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Capital
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