Spanish Authority Confiscates Ancient Ukrainian Gold Artifacts Smuggled In 2016 Worth IDR 1 Trillion

JAKARTA - Spanish authorities last month managed to confiscate ancient gold artifacts worth 60 million euros (IDR 1,009,017,556,200) stolen from Ukraine after the thief was caught trying to sell the historic object in Madrid, local police said.

There are a total of eleven gold artifacts, especially jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings dating back to the Greek-Scythian period between the 8th and 4th centuries BC, police said.

The items were exhibited at the Kyiv museum between 2009-2013, and smuggled out of Ukraine in 2016, the Madrid National Police said in a statement, without identifying the museum.

The artifact has been falsified by document, so it looks as if it belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, police said.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Police website said the confiscation was part of a joint operation with the Ukrainian Security Service, arresting five people (three Spanish nationals and two Ukrainian nationals).

In addition, this investigation is in collaboration with the Office of the Interior Attach in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Albania, North Macedonia and Cyprus as well as the International Cooperation Division.

Separately, Ukrainian authorities said they had found 14 archaeological objects suspected of being stolen from an area occupied by Russia. A Russian man was arrested after trying to smuggle these objects into the United States.

These objects include Neolithic axes dating from around 5,000-3,000 BC.

"Ukraine has received a 'new armament' shipment. The only thing to remember is that this weaponry is ancient," Ukraine's acting Culture Minister Rostyslav Karandieiev told a news conference, as quoted by the BBC.

It is known, the artifact created by the civilization of my ocean is one of Ukraine's most famous historical heritages.

Ukrainian archaeologists say gold defenses held in Ukrainian museums in Russian occupied territories have been looted since last year's massive invasion.

The loss due to the alleged looting of Ukraine's historical and artistic heritage by Russia is estimated at hundreds of millions of euros.