Old foreigner apprehended for transporting woolly rhino fossils illegally

In a recent development, a 66-year-old foreign entrepreneur residing in Yakutsk, Russia, is facing up to seven years in prison for smuggling cultural artifacts. The news was reported by the press service of the UFMS of Russia for the Far East.

The artifacts in question are horns of the woolly rhinoceros, valued at approximately six million rubles. These historical treasures are considered cultural artifacts of special scientific value, and their transport across the customs border of the EAEU is restricted by Russian law.

The hidden horns were discovered and seized during a customs inspection at Sheremetyevo Airport Customs Post. The parcels, sent via post, intentionally provided false information about their contents. The investigation into this case was completed by the North-Eastern Transport Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

The entrepreneur knowingly hid the horns among other bones in five parcels. The smuggled artifacts are still within the Customs Union within the EAEU.

The accused is facing a criminal case for smuggling these valuable artifacts. The case was initiated under part 1 of Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The prosecutor has approved the indictment, and the case has been sent to court.

The accused will await the court's decision under a pledge not to leave and to behave properly. The specific details of the artifacts, such as their origin or acquisition, are not mentioned in this paragraph.

The maximum penalty for this crime is imprisonment of three to seven years. It is important to note that the accused is not publicly named in available sources. No new location or method of transportation for the artifacts is mentioned either.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage. The smuggling of such artifacts not only deprives the world of valuable historical knowledge but also breaks the law. As the investigation and court proceedings continue, we await further developments in this intriguing story.