2024-07-04 21:31:52
According to the indictment, the man illegally kept antiquities under protection in Latvia – various rings, bracelets, brooches, coins and other items, the total value of which is 7,908 euros.
According to the Law “On the Protection of Cultural Monuments”, antiquities found in archaeological sites on the ground, above ground or in water belong to the state and are kept by public museums. This provision does not apply to antiquities, about which a person has notified the National Cultural Heritage Administration by March 30, 2013, as well as to antiquities, the legal origin of which a person has proven after March 30, 2013 and received a written confirmation from the administration.
The law also stipulates that the finder immediately, but not notify the National Cultural Heritage Administration in writing later than within five days.
The accused man, in violation of the mentioned provisions of the law, did not voluntarily hand over antiquities belonging to the state and also did not notify the administration about them, thus illegally storing antiquities.
On March 9, 2022, the court of the Latgale suburb of the city of Riga issued a verdict in this criminal case, by which the accused was declared innocent and acquitted. The prosecutor of the Riga Eastern Prosecutor’s Office submitted an appeal protest against the said verdict.
On September 19 of last year, the Riga Regional Court overturned the verdict of the first instance court acquitting the accused and issued a conviction. Due to the fact that the Supreme Administrative Court refused to initiate cassation proceedings, this conviction entered into legal force.
2024-07-04 21:31:52