Following the granting of an exemption by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were no longer any barriers to the entry of works of art.
The European Union has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. As an enforcement authority, Customs is responsible for enforcing sanctions agreed at EU level on freight transport. On 1 and 2 April 2022, Customs detained three consignments of works of art to Russia in Vaalimaa. Works of art that arrived in Russia from Italy and Japan via Finland were transported by truck. The works of art have been preserved in Finland with respect for their value, properties and safety.
The EU adopted a joint decision amending the regulation on penalties for works of art (2022/428). The change came into force on April 9, 2022 and allows for the transfer of sanctioned works of art between museums with an exemption granted by the competent authority, which is the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland.
Finnish Customs is conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter. The preliminary investigation has progressed by stating that works of art are no longer needed as evidence in the investigation. Following the granting of an exemption by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were no longer any barriers to the entry of works of art.
“Our job is to control all cross-border shipments of goods and to control any sanctions that may be imposed on goods, and our operations are always based on the legislation in force at the time; in this case, the amendment to the sanctions regulation jointly agreed at EU level and which entered into force last night, as well as the exemption granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ”he says. Sami RakshitDirector of Customs Control.
The pre-trial investigation is proceeding normally, as the EU Sanctions Regulation in force at the time of the arrest required Customs to detain the prohibited goods and, if necessary, to carry out a pre-trial investigation. The preliminary investigation will continue, for example, as international co-operation with the authorities.
The works of art have been handled strictly at every stage in accordance with the instructions given by the museum professionals.
Source: Customs
Source: The Nordic Page