The Investigative Committee of Russia conducted searches in the Tretyakov Gallery in the case of forgery of works by E. Neizvestny

The Tretyakov Gallery was searched after the discovery of a criminal scheme for the forgery of paintings and sculptures by the Soviet sculptor, graphic artist and painter Ernst Neizvestny. A number of art objects were sent for special examination to establish the true authorship. Read more about the event in the Izvestia article.

Members of the organized crime group on forgery of works and their activities

The idea to forge paintings and sculptures of an Unknown Person came to Maxim Koshkarev, who was a representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. He and his unnamed associates created at least 30 works over the course of six years, from 2020 to 2026, without asking permission from the copyright holders.

The resulting products were sold to private collectors under the guise of originals. The victims were identified in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Moscow regions, and even abroad. Thus, the attackers were able to earn at least 90 million rubles.

Tretyakov Gallery searches: examinations and results

After the fraud was stopped, authorized persons came to the Tretyakov Gallery with searches. During the investigative measures, 37 paintings and 10 sculptures were seized from there, which were subsequently redirected to a technical and technological forensic examination and an examination of the painting's authorship.

The experts who examined the materials received by them confirmed Koshkarev's absolute involvement in the crime imputed to him.

Preventive measures and the further course of the case

The court has already chosen a preventive measure against the accused, which implies his restriction of freedom. Currently, the property of the serviceman has been seized in the amount of 128 million rubles. The investigation itself is still ongoing.