Europe Returned To Russia An Antique Cello Stolen 30 Years Ago

Europe has returned a 17th-century cello, stolen nearly 30 years ago, to Russia, according to Irina Volk, an official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The cello, crafted by Italian master Giovanni Batista Rogieri, a pupil of Nicolo Amati, was part of Russia’s State Collection of unique musical instruments.

In 1995, the cello was stolen from a musician who had it on loan from the Russian National Museum of Music. At the time, a criminal case for grand larceny was opened, and the cello was added to Interpol's database.

The instrument resurfaced in 2018 when it was discovered at an auction in France and subsequently withdrawn from sale. Russian authorities traced it to Italy, and at Russia’s request, Italian police seized the cello and stored it with the Carabinieri's Cultural Heritage Protection Unit in Florence.

Recently, the instrument was handed over to Russian Interpol officers. Irina Volk highlighted the successful recovery as the result of "coordinated work by police officers from several countries," calling it "a unique international operation."