Rare artworks worth 2.5 billion were stolen from the museum in Fergana

It was found that 70 rare works of art with a total value of 2.5 billion soms were stolen and replaced with forgeries in a museum in Fergana.  This is reported by the Agency for Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage.

It is noted that the inspection for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Cabinet of Ministers, the General Prosecutor’s Office, and the Agency for Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage conducted research in the State Museum of History and Culture of the Fergana region.

During the investigation of the working group, it was revealed that 70 unique exhibits stored in the museum, with a total value of 2.5 billion soms (of which 56 were paintings) were forged, 1,4 billion soms out of the 3.1 billion soms allocated from the budget for the capital repair of the museum was looted.  Officials have been found to have stolen 4 billion soms.  In addition, 1 pictorial and 1 graphic work, which should be displayed in the museum were not found.

“It is noteworthy that in 2011 the museum handed over to the Department of Internal Affairs of the Fergana region a total of 21 items.  14 of them were returned to the museum during 2016-2020 and the remaining 7 paintings have not been returned.  It is now revealed that these 7 paintings are missing from the Department of Internal Affairs of the Fergana region”, - the report says.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated on the revealed case and investigations are underway.