Romanian Police Investigates Alleged Relic Smuggling Operation

Hunedoarea County Police spokesperson Bogdan Nitu told MEDIAFAX that police are investigating a complex case regarding the illegal export of six steam locomotives, thought to be part of the national cultural patrimony, two of which are part of a unique series made specially in Austria for Romania in 1908.

"Investigators have established that between 2002 and 2005 the locomotives in question were bought and later illegally exported by a firm in the Criscior commune, Hunedoara county, firm owned by a foreign citizen. The estimated value of losses caused to the state reaches EUR158,000. Investigations also revealed that the firm’s manager obtained, from the culture departments in Hunedoara and Cluj illegal export certificates, since the items in question have not been subject to prior expertise meant to establish whether they are part of the national patrimony," Nitu said.

He added the six train engines were included in a national and international all points bulletin, and there are suspicions that some of them are in Austria, Germany, Slovakia or Serbia.

According to the spokesperson, the investigation included searches at Criscior and the headquarters of the two culture departments involved. Thus, at the firm headquarters investigators found another 20 locomotives of different types, as well as spare parts, which were left in custody. Investigations are now trying to establish the source of said locomotives and parts.

Several people are suspect in this case, including a former employee of the Hunedoara Culture Department, Catalin Riscuta, who was sent to trial in a different case regarding the estrangement and illegal export of patrimonial items. These people are investigated at large under charges of illegal export of mobile cultural assets, forgery and deeds of corruption in relation with the office.

According to legal sources, the train engines were allegedly bought by the Austrian firm from several mines that are currently under conservation, especially the gold mines in the Romanian western Carpathian Mountains. The steam engines were reconditioned and illegal export certificates were later obtained, which enabled the transfer from Romania to collectors abroad.

 

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.