The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handed over to Russia rare historic documents, stolen from Russian archives and discovered at online auctions.
A total of 21 documents, many signed by Russian emperors and empresses, were reported stolen from national archives in Moscow and St. Petersburg between 1994 and 2002.
They were put for sale on five U.S.-based websites. Prices for the documents, dated from the 18th to the 20th century, ranged from $300 to $15,000 per document.
"It is a great privilege and honor, on behalf of the United States, to return to the people of Russia a collection of historical documents that reflect their nation's history and rich heritage," ICE Director Morton said during the repatriation ceremony.
Russian ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, thanked U.S. specialists for their "great job to return these historic treasures to the people of Russia."
WASHINGTON, December 4 (RIA Novosti)
