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RF govt to enhance protection of cultural valuables

The document provides for the introduction of amendments to the Law on the Exportation and Importation of Cultural Valuables

MOSCOW, February 7 (Itar-Tass) - The government of the Russian Federation (RF) will enhance the protection of cultural valuables from the viewpoint of putting a stop to illegal archeological digs.

This is the purpose of a draft Federal law whichwill be referred to the State Duma lower house of parliament for consideration. A referral directive has been signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the government press service reported on Thursday. The Bill has been drawn up at the RF Ministry of Culture.

The document provides for the introduction of amendments to the Law on the Exportation and Importation of Cultural Valuables, the Penal Code of the RF on Administrative Offences, the Criminal Procedure Code of the RF, and to the Federal Law "On Cultural Heritage Sites (Historical and Cultural Landmarks) of the Peoples of the RF".

It is specified that the Amendments are aimed at preventing an illegal unearthing of and trafficking in cultural valuables which are significant from archeological point of view.

The text of the Directive is published on the RF Government's official website www.government.ru.

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