The investigative activity that allowed the recovery of the painting “Christ on the Cross” at the antiques event called “Mercantinfiera 2023” was particularly significant.
Also in 2023, the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Cosenza conducted a series of investigative actions throughout the Calabrian and national territory, which allowed not only the recovery of various archaeological finds, the result of clandestine excavations, but also the seizure of numerous antiques, including important paintings marketed in Calabria and originating from home burglaries throughout Italy, as well as several fake contemporary works of art.
The investigative activity that allowed the recovery of the painting, conducted by the Carabinieri of the TPC Unit of Cosenza coordinated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Parma, was particularly significant and originated from a control – aimed at combating the illicit marketing of works of art – at the antiques event called “Mercantinfiera 2023” held in Parma in October 2023. In an exhibition stand, an oil on canvas painting dating back to the end of the century was identified. XVII, depicting “Christ on the cross”. The painting appeared to have been removed in 2015, during a theft perpetrated from a private home in the province of Benevento. With the collaboration of the complainant, it was possible to confirm the furtive provenance of the painting in question which, therefore, was seized on the initiative. The AG of Parma, sharing the investigative findings collected, validated the seizure carried out on the initiative of this Unit, subsequently ordering the release of seizure and the return of the asset to the rightful owner.
The Cosenza Unit continued, also in 2023, with an incisive prevention activity which, associated with a collateral and constant repressive activity, made it possible to effectively counteract the various forms of criminal attacks carried out against property local regional culture, also thanks to the positive signals recorded following the entry into force of Law no. 22 of 22 March 2022 – with amendments to the criminal provisions regarding the protection of cultural heritage currently contained mainly in the Code of Cultural Heritage (Legislative Decree 42/2004) and integrating the Penal Code with 17 new articles (from 518-bis to 518-undevicies).
With regards to the activities carried out, the results obtained are reported below:
- 1 person arrested in flagrante delicto;
- 50 persons referred in a state of freedom, to the Judicial Authorities, of which 21 for crimes against the landscape;
- 9 recovered antiquarian goods;
- 2,939 recovered archaeological finds;
- 26 fake pictorial works seized;
- 4 fake antiques seized;
- 76 checks on archaeological areas aimed at preventing clandestine excavation activities;
- 51 checks on landscape and monumental areas aimed at preventing building abuse;
- 35 checks on antiques activities, trade fairs and markets aimed at preventing receiving and money laundering crimes;
- 228 cultural assets subjected to photographic assessments.
