Muscovite caught exporting WWII tank 'A Russian court has given a man from Moscow a suspended sentence for attempting to move a T-34 tank out of the country from the Chelyabinsk region in 2015. This was reported by RIA Novosti with a link to a press release from UFSB Russia in the Chelyabinsk region.' The T34-76 shown in this press piece is a stock image; the tank in question is more likely to have been a T34-85.
Source article linked from 'reported' mentions an 85. Still a lot of cash for a 34 these days though. Faintly surprised at suspended sentence. Aware they were taking 'cultural heritage' leaving the country quite seriously so kind of thought they might have been more severe.
Hmm, the various laws of the Russian Federation are quite complicated on this subject but there is a good summary: Antiques 'Items more than 50 years old but less than 100 years old may (but not in every case) be exported after inspection and approval from the national Ministry of Culture.' 'One must always remember that if inspected and caught, the Federal Customs Service (Russian Federation) language leaves no room for doubt–failure to declare means that you have certified by your actions that you possess nothing of value, and if demonstrated otherwise the penalties can be severe. In today’s anti corruption mood an attempted bribe is a guarantee of a longer jail sentence or fine.' Dunno what sentancing guidelies exist, if at all.
