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Trafficking in works of art that constitute cultural property, the Prosecution sends two people to trial

Trafficking in works of art that constitute cultural property, the Prosecution

The Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Fier takes the defendants and sends to trial citizens Sh.K. and PP for committing the criminal offense of 'Trafficking in works of art and culture' provided for by article 138/a pg.2 of the Criminal Code.

In the framework of the investigations into criminal proceedings no. 1926 of 2023, the Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction, Fier, sent the case to trial after, through special investigation methods, it was proven that the defendant PP took all necessary actions to trade on 18.12.2023, to agents under cover, various objects that constitute tangible cultural property, without being licensed by the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation (the minister responsible for cultural heritage), as required by Article 116 of Law no. 27/2018, as amended.

In carrying out this illegal activity, the defendant PP was assisted by another defendant, Sh.K. The following movable cultural property was seized from the defendant PP:

Rifle/gun – the object dates back to the 18th-19th century, it represents a rifle/gun decorated with floral motifs;

Icon "The Nativity of Christ" - according to the characteristics presented, the icon belongs to the final phase of post-Byzantine painting;

Portrait of “Eros” – the portrait depicts the head of a child; the sculpture is made of white marble. The most prominent details are the hair on the head;

Epitaph "The Overwhelming Lament" - is made of textile material and embroidery, while the figures of the saints are made of metal.

At the conclusion of the trial, the Fier Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction ruled that the defendants PP and Sh.K. were found guilty of the charges attributed to them.

In addition, the Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Fier expresses its commitment to investigating and holding legally accountable persons who commit criminal offenses against cultural property and heritage.

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