Spain confiscates historical Ukrainian jewelry worth 60 million euros
11 pieces of gold jewelry dating back to Ukrainian historical heritage, valued at more than 60 million euros (more than 63 million dollars), were found in Spain, where smugglers hoped to resell them illegally, the Spanish police announced.
The police said in a statement that this jewelry, “which has great historical and economic value,” disappeared several years ago after being displayed in a Kiev museum between 2009 and 2013.
She pointed out that most of them were confiscated last September, during a police operation against "a criminal network involved in smuggling objects that carry cultural significance in Ukraine."
Three Spaniards and two Ukrainians were arrested during this operation, which was carried out with the assistance of authorities in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Albania, Cyprus and North Macedonia.
The 11 pieces, which include necklaces, earrings and a belt decorated with lamb heads, date back to the Scythian Greek culture that was prevalent in the eighth and fourth centuries BC.
It was scheduled to be sold in Madrid, according to the police, who indicated that they launched their investigations after finding in 2021 the golden belt that a businessman from Madrid had bought and placed inside a box.
This investigation allowed the belt to be traced until a Ukrainian priest living in Madrid, with the help of one of his compatriots, “forged documents” proving the authenticity and ownership of the jewelry, according to the police.
The other ten pieces were found in the priest's possession, along with documents in Ukrainian, English and Spanish aimed at facilitating their sale.
Police spokeswoman Anna Ramon explained, “These pieces cannot be sold through the usual legal channels, such as auctions, for example.”
She continued, "For this reason, it was integrated into the capital of commercial companies that were specifically established to appear legitimate."
Experts from the Spanish National Archaeological Museum and the Spanish Institute of Cultural Heritage are conducting a study on the jewelry, according to a police statement.