Two US nationals were arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport late Wednesday for allegedly attempting to smuggle icons out of the country, a customs official told AFP Thursday.
The two men were senior vice-presidents from a major US pharmaceutical company headed by former Yugoslav prime minister Milan Panic, a US citizen of Serb origin, the Interfax news agency reported.
Citing law enforcement sources, Interfax said the executives, who were flying from Moscow to Los Angeles, had a small cross and an icon in their possession.
They were also reportedly carrying two kilogram’s (4.4 pounds) of caviar, which was said to have been acquired illegally.
The cultural items have been sent to the Russian ministry of culture for examination and the ICN vice-presidents have been placed under detention, Interfax added.
Customs officials recovered more than 800 icons from smugglers last year – (AFP)
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