GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - A tourist could be jailed for six years for trying to take old coins and medals out of the country. Are Russia's laws on exporting relics too strict?
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Golo       August 31, 2007, 00:59
I have in possession several "Order of the Red Star". Am I in trouble?
John       August 30, 2007, 21:31
If this tourist knowingly tryed to smuggle out of Russia valuble historical relics then yes he deserves to be punished with in-prisonment.If on the other hand he is just a misguided fool who bought some "old tat" worth $20 then ok confiscate them and maybe a small fine say $20.If the Russian authorities send to prison someone who has committed such a minor infraction then it's "law is an ass " and believe me it will do serious damage to it's tourist industry ( Sochi... forget it!!).
John       August 30, 2007, 21:30
If this tourist knowingly tryed to smuggle out of Russia valuble historical relics then yes he deserves to be punished with in-prisonment.If on the other hand he is just a misguided fool who bought some "old tat" worth $20 then ok confiscate them and maybe a small fine say $20.If the Russian authorities send to prison someone who has committed such a minor infraction then it's "law is an ass " and believe me it will do serious damage to it's tourist industry ( Sochi... forget it!!).
Scorpion       August 30, 2007, 14:57
AI is right ! just a hefty fine will do and goods to be confiscated !
dan       August 30, 2007, 10:52
common sense and get into this century like the rest of mankind
Al       August 30, 2007, 04:11
Putting the guy away is kind of stupid. Just take to goodies away and/or fine his butt.

Simple as that.
Margo       August 29, 2007, 23:00
@ Humble
There is no question of 20 dollars medals you can buy on the tourist markets, obviously. The law regards antique and highly valuable objects.
Oleg       August 29, 2007, 21:48
Richard,You call the country of Chile,the west? Wow wee..old junk medals that you could buy on EBAY!Who cares?
Dino       August 29, 2007, 19:31
"Humble" is exactly RIGHT! Just one more example of Russia Backsliding to its Evil Empire ways. They ought to be "proud" that tourist's want to collect there cr*p and promote the country in POSITVE way! One of my Favorite TV shows is Antiques Roadshow...its all about private individuals collecting and sometimes they come up with Historic Treasures of American History! These collectors help to fill in blanks of history that even the educated historians know little about! Give me a break Russia,very petty indeed!
Richard       August 29, 2007, 18:02
Certainly, at Moscow International airport the customs have posted a huge board displaying what one can take from Russia which must be declared when departing. I am sure at all Russian International airports the same is posted.
Humble       August 29, 2007, 16:56
the coins and medals in question were worth 20 dollars! it is absolutely ridiculuos that somebody could even be considered for incarceration for would-be smuggling old medals worth that much..........
Russia is spending millions advertising itself as a tourist destination and all it takes is one stickler-to-procedure at the customs...Surely laws are laws and should not be broken but by forcing somebody to stand trial for a 20-dollar bunch medals those officials are doing their country a great disservice
Vibgyor       August 29, 2007, 13:18
A simple rulebook issued to all visitors citing all the dangers of taking out old relics should be an essential part of the tourist trade. All/most countries are strict about relics/old treasures being taken out of the country, because smuggling is BIG BUSINESS nowadays!
Richard       August 29, 2007, 11:06
The law is the law and just because a person is from west (wow wee, hot digidy) is no excuse for breaking the law of that country, and taking from that country which is its heritage. Look what happened at the collapse of the Soviet Union - where did most if not all the Soviet space relics go............
Sam       August 29, 2007, 08:05
No way is it soft.
All you have to do is visit the British museum in London.It is full of Loot from other countries.All the treasures of its old colonies are there for "save keeping" as if egyptian museum will misplace the rosetto stone if its returned.strangely there are very few if any from countries that we the british did not occupy.To see how much stolen artifacts there are, just go to Ebay type russia or china under antiques and see.Not only the tourist but also the seller have to get a visit to the jail.