Spanish police say they have confiscated ancient gold jewelry worth millions taken from Ukraine
Spanish police say they have confiscated 11 pieces of ancient gold jewelry that were taken out of Ukraine illegally in 2016 Spanish police have seized 11 pieces of ancient gold jewelry that were illegally taken from Ukraine in 2016. The jewelry, estimated to be worth 60 million euros ($64 million), was taken from between the eighth and fourth centuries B.C. Five people, including two Ukrainians, an Orthodox Church priest, and three Spaniards, have been arrested for attempting to sell the items in Spain. The items were part of Ukraine’s national heritage and went missing after being put on display in a museum in Kyiv. An ornate gold belt was also seized in 2021. The pieces are being studied by Spain’‘National Archeological Museum’ and the country's Cultural Heritage Institute.
Published : 2 years ago by Associated Press in World
MADRID — Spanish police said Monday they have confiscated 11 pieces of ancient gold jewelry that were taken out of Ukraine illegally in 2016. A police statement said five people who were attempting to sell the pieces in Spain have been arrested in recent weeks. Those arrested included two Ukrainians, one of them an Orthodox Church priest, and three Spaniards.
The jewelry was said to be worth 60 million euros ($64 million) and dated from between the eighth and fourth centuries B.C.
Police said the items were part of Ukraine’s national heritage. They went missing after being put on display between 2009 and 2013 in a museum in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. The pieces included a belt, earrings and necklaces.
An ornate gold belt was seized in 2021 and the rest of the pieces were seized in recent weeks. Police said the investigation continued.
The pieces are being studied by Spain’s National Archeological Museum and the country’s Cultural Heritage Institute.
Interior ministry attachés in Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, North Macedonia and Ukraine helped with the investigation, police said.
Topics: Ukraine, Russia-Ukraine War