In Odesa, law enforcement officials successfully disrupted an illegal sale of a rare artifact from the II-III century. The suspect had listed an item titled «Roman Plate» on an online auction, attempting to sell it for 40,000 hryvnias. The individual now faces criminal charges.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with experts from the National Museum of History of Ukraine, who discovered the auction listing concerning the plate, significant to the military culture of Roman legionnaires. This culture presents a unique aspect of political history and its influence on European nations. Such findings are extremely rare in Ukraine, with none present in the state museum collection.
During the preliminary investigation initiated under Article 193 (illegal appropriation of found or foreign property) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, police identified the 62-year-old resident of Izmail who posted the sale under a pseudonym.
A sanctioned search of the suspect's residence resulted in the seizure of the «Roman Plate», three coins named «Gordian III», and 19 arrowheads.
Currently, police are conducting an art examination to confirm the authenticity and cultural value of the seized items. Based on the examination results, authorities will decide on charging the suspect and transferring the artifacts to the National Museum of History of Ukraine for safekeeping and further study.
The source of the artifacts’ acquisition by the suspect is under investigation.
The preliminary investigation is carried out by detectives from Police Station No. 1 of Odesa District Police Department No. 1 under the procedural guidance of the Primorsky District Prosecutor's Office.