Emine dzheppar: Scythian gold return to Crimea, leaving the Russian army

Three years ago in the Netherlands sent a collection of “Crimea — Golden island in the Black sea”, which included including artifacts from four Crimean museums. After the Russian annexation of Crimea, the representatives demanded to return the gold to the Peninsula, but the Dutch court decided to transfer the collection to Kiev. However, the Crimean museums are not going to give up and filed an appeal. On the state of Affairs of the “Scythian gold” we are talking with first Deputy Minister of information policy of Ukraine Emine dzheppar.


“The Crimea.Realities”: How soon will be decided the fate of the collection “Scythian gold” in the Netherlands?

Emine dzheppar: Almost a rhetorical question. Here is the procedure: a few weeks ago our lawyers (Ukraine — CU), which is located in Amsterdam, received from the bailiff the information, the news that Crimean museums will appeal. What was made the first instance decision of the district court of Amsterdam, it was peremptory. That is, it was so hard, so in favor of Ukraine, our lawyers have assumed the situation that lawyers Crimean museums will not advise them (Crimean museums — CU) to “prolong the pleasure” of another defeat because the odds of winning in this case was minimal. As we have seen, the occupation authorities chose the tactics of “win at any cost”, and they will do everything possible to return these artifacts.

— Sergey Aksenov generally requires a “fight to the last bullet” for this collection. What do you think, what “ammunition” do they expect?

— I don’t know what are these “cartridges”. After all, these “rounds” — the law and international law — no. Even a defence — they lined up at the first meeting, where I participated and saw this attempt to pretend to be patriots of Ukraine — was ridiculous. This, fortunately, the court did not succumb. The defense has lined up in this logic: the Crimean museums are not political institutions. The people who work there are very emotionally perceive the absence of the sacred relics of the Crimean people. Some members even cried at the hearing. One of the representatives of the Crimean museums have made a speech and said that he is a Ukrainian citizen, loves his country, he came to the referendum and voted for Ukraine, but there was the occupation and they seem to have nothing to do with politics. If they are not to blame for what happened.

— Those people who represented the Crimean museums, said that the present alleged Ukrainian museums on the territory of Crimea?

— Yes, there was such a position. It articlereviews representatives of the Crimean museums. They said that they are citizens of Ukraine, they voted for Ukraine. Obviously, they pretended to be patriots of Ukraine.

— It turns out they came to the Netherlands to defend the position of Aksenova and Russia with Ukrainian passports?

— I have only from the Ukrainian side had the opportunity to speak. We then principally represented the government’s position. I then asked: what passport are you doing here? There was no reply, but later the Russian media in the review gave information that it was a irrelevant question, because supposedly I clearly said that they are citizens of Ukraine. More precisely, that they are Pro-Ukrainian position and made it clear what passports they arrived. However, in reality no one knows what sort of passport.

— Ukraine must pay for 111 thousand Euro for storage of this collection. Now — through no fault of Ukraine — this is extended by approximately six months. Who will pay if the court decides in favor of Ukraine?

— I think that is not even six months, and a little more. The procedure is: until may 16 the Russian side needs to reinforce its intention to appeal. That is, to file such document which will be arguments appealed the court’s decision. After that, Ukraine will have six weeks on your counter. Here, Ukraine can appeal anything. Even this solution is that Ukraine, though should have a financial obligation to pay this amount. This is the position of the country: what can and will challenge Ukraine. It has not yet been formed (position — CU), it is not public.

It will last probably more than six months. We expect up to a year. What will be this decision, we do not know, and perhaps it also will regulate, who will bear the financial obligations. Here the logic is: it is not our appeal this procedure is stretched, so why Ukraine should bear responsibility for it? But here for us it is important to return these artifacts to the Ukraine, because they are, by law, belong to the people of Ukraine, and for us it is important that these artifacts got there. How — is another question.

— In your opinion, when this collection could return to the Peninsula?

We told them the Crimean museums that we are ready tomorrow to return a collection, but this will happen only after deokkupirovan Peninsula as soon as the Russian army will leave the territory of Crimea. On the same day the artifacts will be returned to the Peninsula.

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