A priest from Ukraine’s Orthodox Church has been arrested along with four others for stealing €60 million ($AU100.7 million) of illegally obtained ancient jewellery.
Spanish authorities confirmed on Monday that they seized 11 pieces of ancient gold jewellery taken from Ukraine in 2016.
Authorities said five men smuggled the collection out of Ukraine using forged documents and attempted to sell the jewellery in Spain.
The police investigation involved cooperation from various countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, North Macedonia and Ukraine.
The pieces are dated between the fourth and eighth century BC and are described as part of Ukraine’s ‘national heritage’.
The Scythians were a nomadic people occupying parts of eastern Europe and Asia, including what is now Ukraine, from around 800 BC until 400 AD.
They were known for their metalworking skills, particularly in creating elaborate gold jewellery. Among the items stolen was a Neolithic axe.
“It’s safe to say that Ukraine has received a new shipment of weaponry,” Ukraine acting minister Rostyslav Karandieiev joked.
“The only catch is that this weaponry is incredibly ancient.”
The jewellery was reported missing after appearing on display at a museum in Kyiv in 2013. The exhibition included gold earrings and necklaces.
The collection is being studied by Spain’s National Archeological Museum and the Cultural Heritage Institute.
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