The Security Service of Ukraine prevented smuggling of paintings by founders of the Transcarpathian school of painting (PHOTOS)

In Transcarpathian region, officers of the Security Service of Ukraine eliminated the international channel of cultural property smuggling. 

Law enforcement officials prevented smuggling of three paintings by famous Transcarpathian artists A. Erdelyi and Y. Bokshay. The smugglers – three local residents – tried to take the canvas to Slovakia through the customs post "Uzhgorod". The smugglers hid the paintings under the vehicle floor and camouflaged them with boxes of ceramic tiles. 

The expert examination confirmed that these paintings are original works of Y. Bokshay ("Portrait of the son", "Zhornava") and A. Erdelyi ("Portrait of a young man"), which are of a historical, cultural and museum value. 

The criminal proceeding under Part. 1 of Art. 201 (smuggling) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine has been opened. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

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