60 Million Euros Worth of Gold Artifacts Seized in Spain, Illegally Exported from Ukraine

Spanish law enforcement authorities have seized 11 gold artifacts valued at 60 million euros in Madrid, which belong to Ukraine's historical heritage. These items were illegally exported from the country. This information was reported in a press release from the Spanish police, cited by Reuters.

According to the press release, "Agents of the National Police, in a joint operation with Ukraine's Security Service, have seized more than 60 million euros worth of 11 gold items related to Ukraine's historical heritage in Madrid." Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, three Spaniards and two Ukrainians. They were involved in the illegal export of cultural values from Ukraine.

The first item seized was a gold belt adorned with ram's heads, which had been sold by a priest to a businessman in Madrid in 2021. The ownership and rights to the gold artifacts had been transferred to the main accused, an Orthodox priest residing in Madrid. Documents accompanying the items indicated that they belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The investigation was carried out in collaboration with the interior ministries of Bulgaria, Ukraine, Albania, North Macedonia, and Cyprus, as well as the International Cooperation Department.