Treasure diggers on Moldovan archaeological sites to face criminal, contravention punishment

Chisinau, 17 February /MOLDPRES/-A draft law amending the Criminal Code, approved by the government today, sees that persons performing unauthorized diggings or looking for treasures in archaeological sites and areas with archaeological potential could face a fine from 500 to 1,000 conventional units, or imprisonment of up to one year.

The unauthorized diggings to find treasures on archaeological sites “gained catastrophic proportions,” Deputy Culture Minister Igor Sarov said during the cabinet meeting.

According to the draft law, construction works, as well as other earthwork performed without a certificate on archaeological sites or areas with archaeological potential, shall be punished with a fine from 3,000 to 4,000 conventional units (60,000-80,000 lei) or imprisonment lasting up to two years. The legal person in this case risks a fine from 7,000 to 10,000 conventional units or might be liquidated.

The draft law also provides for punishments for the unauthorized access and use of metal detectors or other remote sensing devices in areas with archaeological patrimony, unauthorized selling of mobile archaeological and cultural goods, as well as for damaging or destroying objects belonging to the cultural patrimony and for other related to cultural goods.

The Culture Ministry says the amendments are an opportunity needed to adjust Moldova’s legal framework to the provisions of international conventions of UNESCO and Council of Europe, in the field of cultural patrimony.

The draft law provides for the amendment of the Criminal Code and Contravention Code, and is to be examined by the parliament.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor A. Raileanu)