Finnish Customs has closed an investigation into a case concerning Russian artwork that was seized by Finland before being returned to Russia in 2022.
The pieces of artwork had been on loan abroad, and then returned to a number of Russian museums via Finland.
In early April 2022, customs officials at the eastern border crossing in Vaalimaa seized paintings, antiques and statues worth more than 40 million euros that were on the way to Russia by lorry.
The transported items were on their way back to Russia from Italy and Japan, where they had been loaned to museums for exhibit.
According to Russian media, the pieces were being returned to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, among other museums.
The artworks were seized due to sanctions concerns, with Customs opening an investigation into the matter.
Russia demanded that Finland immediately return the artwork, with the Kremlin summoning Finland's Ambassador to discuss the seizure which Russia claimed was illegal.
About a week later, Finnish Customs announced that it had released the shipment, with the Foreign Ministry allowing the move after the EU tweaked sanctions rules to permit transport of the artwork.