The European Union has imposed extensive sanctions against Russia and Belarus due to Russia's attack on Ukraine. As the implementing authority, Finnish Customs' tasks include enforcing the sanctions on goods agreed at EU level.
On 1-2 April 2022, Finnish Customs detained three shipments bound for Russia at Vaalimaa border crossing point. The shipments contained paintings and sculptures.
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the EU list of sanctions contains a paragraph on works of art.
Finnish Customs has started a preliminary investigation into the case that occurred in Vaalimaa. The investigation is ongoing both in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and at Customs. Investigation measures will be carried out as soon as possible. The exact time when the investigation measures will be complete is not yet known.
The enforcement of sanctions must be effective
Finnish Customs informed the media about the discovery of the art shipments, the enforcement of sanctions and the progress of the preliminary investigation at a press briefing held today on 6 April 2022.
"It is important that the enforcement of sanctions works effectively. The enforcement of sanctions is part of our normal operations and we always direct our controls based on risks. The shipments that have now come under criminal investigation were detected as part of our customary enforcement work," says Sami Rakshit, Director of Finnish Customs' Enforcement Department.
The works of art were being transported from Italy and Japan to Russia via Finland. They had been displayed at exhibitions. The works of art are being stored with overall consideration for their value, characteristics and safety.The preliminary investigation will continue in the form of information gathering, international cooperation and requests for mutual assistance. Finnish Customs aims to complete the investigation as soon as possible. Customs will continue consulting with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry will examine the matter with the European Commission.
Source: Finnish Customs
Comment: RT
reported that the "trucks contained over 200 paintings from the Hermitage and Tretyakov which had been on loan".
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto
weighed in yesterday suggesting that Finland had gone too far in its seizure of the artwork:
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, speaking to Yle TV channel on Thursday, underlined that the country's customs service should strictly follow the EU's regulations. However, his own position is that the objects of cultural heritage belong to the museums which originally lent them for the exhibitions. He explained that the sanctions against Russia are being imposed at such a pace that not all situations can be foreseen.
Moscow expressed strong protest and warned that Finland would not be able to escape responsibility and hide behind the European Union when it comes to the return of the paintings and sculptures.
Comment: RT reported that the "trucks contained over 200 paintings from the Hermitage and Tretyakov which had been on loan".
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto weighed in yesterday suggesting that Finland had gone too far in its seizure of the artwork: Moscow expressed strong protest and warned that Finland would not be able to escape responsibility and hide behind the European Union when it comes to the return of the paintings and sculptures.