"Scythian gold" smugglers tried to sell in Spain (video, photo)

The SBU, together with the BEB and the police of the Kingdom of Spain, has neutralised a transnational criminal group that illegally exportedScythian gold items from Ukraine for sale in the EU. This is reported by the SBU.

As a result of an international special operation in Madrid detained five members of the gang who tried to illegally sell Ukrainian artefacts. Among the detainees is a representative of the UOC (MP) from Ukraine, - stated in the message.

During investigative actions from the attackers seized 11 stolen gold objects of cultural heritage of Ukraine in the amount of more than 60 million euros. We are talking about precious objects of VIII-IV centuries BC, including gold earrings, pendant, chokers and pectorals.

According to the investigation, the defendants illegally exported artefacts from Ukraine to the European Union between 2014 and 2020. Then the attackers tried to "legalise" the stolen cultural values under the guise of their acquisition by foreign collectors with subsequent resale on the black market.

Law enforcers documented the criminal actions of the defendants step by step and detained them "hot on their heels" while transporting the Ukrainian artefacts. The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the offence and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The seized antiquities have been seized and an expert opinion has been obtained that they belong to the cultural heritage of Ukraine.

In addition, complex measures are continuing to establish the whereabouts of all Ukrainian artefacts of"Scythian gold", which were stolen from the territory of our State.