Finland Times

Photo Lehtikuva.

The Finnish Customs is reported to have intercepted works of art smuggled possibly by the radical organisation ISIS at the eastern border, reported national broadcaster Yle.

Among the seized works of art was a ceramic plaque which was being taken to a Russian collector, Yle said, adding that Russian billionaires have been involved in shipment of works of art acquired in different parts of Europe from the beginning of spring.

The works of art are suspected to pass through Finland on their way to Russia.

The seized plaque could have originated from Syria, and is thought to date back to the Ottoman period in the 1400s.

"Its examination is still in progress. Goods from Syria are in the lists of sanctions, and their origin has to be investigated in case they are identified," lead commentator Sanna Kuparinen told Finnish commercial broadcaster MTV.

The Customs considers the seizure of the plaque exceptional since most of the intercepted works of art in spring were conventional antiques gathered from all over Europe.

Thefts of objects from ancient monuments are one of ISIS’s means of financing their activities.

The Customs have requested the National Bureau of Investigation to trace the origin of the plaque.