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Ukraine threatens Italian scientist studying Crimea fortresses with court case

In late September, it was announced that a project was launched in Crimea to study the Genoese Fortresses to possibly have them included in the UNESCO World Heritage list

Genoese Fortresses in Crimea Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

Genoese Fortresses in Crimea

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

SIMFEROPOL, October 11. /TASS/. The Ukrainian embassy in Rome has sent a letter to the Italia Nostra non-profit campaigning organization whose scientists are on an expedition to study Genoese Fortresses in Crimea, containing threats to launch criminal proceedings against professor Giovanni Spalla, the scientist himself told reporters on Friday at a press conference in Simferopol.

"Literally a few days ago, the Ukrainian embassy in Rome sent a letter to Italia Nostra with only the name "Mr. Spalla" is specified, which says that professor Spalla is perpetrating some crime by being in Crimea, an "occupied" territory," Spalla said.

Spalla emphasized that he is guided by principle to do everything possible to pass on what we got from the past to next generations. "I don’t believe it necessary to accept this accusation and will stay in Crimea. I think that this is my right as a person and a citizen," the scientist added.

Genoese fortress project

In late September, it was announced that a project was launched in Crimea to study the Genoese Fortresses to possibly have them included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The scientists underlined that the project is purely a cultural one rather than political.

On April 30, 2019, Moscow’s branch of the Russian Geographical Society and the national council of the Italia Nostra Onlus organization signed an agreement to conduct a joint study of the Genoese Fortresses on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as part of Italia Nostra’s project dubbed "Genoese Fortresses Around the World - European Project". Italian professor and academic Giovanni Spalla is the project’s coordinator.

Following the visit and study of fortresses and monuments, scientists will create a joint map of the Genoese heritage sites. The monuments will also be studied in historic perspective based on archive documents as well as modern and historic topographic maps. Necessary works to preserve the monuments will also be carried out. The project is expected to be completed in 2029.

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