Stolen artifacts from Ukraine wind up on international black market- Andriy Kostin
Source: Andryi Kostin/Telegram
The cultural treasures looted by Russia in Ukraine are turning up on the international black market, according to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin.
Kostin noted, “In addition to the systematic destruction of cultural heritage, Russia is committing another crime—stealing cultural artifacts. These items, stolen from our museums and archaeological sites, are now being sold on the global black market. We have gathered enough evidence to launch new criminal investigations into these crimes.”
Close cooperation with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice has helped the Prosecutor General’s Office collect crucial information about these offenses.
“We have created a special unit within my office dedicated to investigating not only the destruction of cultural heritage due to bombings but also efforts to illegally sell our cultural artifacts abroad,” Kostin added.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.