The looting of Russia

RUSSIAN police are looking for 55,000 stolen works of art worth more than £500m that have been smuggled abroad and sold on the black market during the 15 years since the collapse of communism.

In what has been described as the country’s largest treasure hunt, the authorities are trying to retrieve 3,400 paintings, 37,000 icons and 1,500 rare books as well as gems, coins and musical instruments. They were taken from museums, churches and private collections.

Investigators from the Russian interior ministry have compiled the first comprehensive database of the lost art. They have also given Interpol descriptions of the 700 most valuable items in the hope that some will be tracked down as they are traded on the international art market.

Posted by David on October 30, 2005 8:09 PM