On June 5, 2007, the customs service on the Russia-Estonia border seized 6 exclusive Orthodox icons and silver casings for them from three citizens of the Netherlands. The Dutch tourists tried to cross the border on their way from Russia to Estonia.
      The relics were found during the customs clearance and presumably date to 19th century. The icons were hidden under the car’s front seat and the seat cover, and also in the hand-bag of the female passenger, in the boot, and in the car pillows.
      By the moment all of the relics have been directed to St. Petersburg for confirmation of their historical and cultural value. The experts will also estimate the damage that could be done to the state if the icons had been taken out of the country.
      Now the customs interrogation department handles a matter of lodging a complaint against the Dutch tourists as the Russian laws prohibit taking historical 100 and more year old relics out of the country.
      
      Sources: 47news.ru
      www.abnews.ru