A logistics company from Uzbekistan, Bek Broker, has reportedly helped transport $36.6 million worth of artwork from Europe to Russia, bypassing EU sanctions on luxury goods. The company, previously known for transporting goods from Russia to Uzbekistan, shifted its focus to art transport since February 2022, moving a total of $41.6 million in cargo. Most of the cargo consisted of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork, with some pieces valued at $4.6 million, including works by prominent artists such as Salvador Dali, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri Matisse.
Systema, an investigative outlet affiliated with the U.S.-funded news organization RFE/RL, reported that 44 pieces of art were removed from a yacht in Amsterdam and shipped to Tashkent, Uzbekistan in early 2023. Three days later, the artwork, then delivered to the Moscow home of billionaire Alexei Repik, was later confirmed to be transferred to an unspecified museum in Russia by his wife, Polina Repik. Alexei Repik, whose construction firm holds contracts in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, has been sanctioned by the U.K., Australia, and Canada. The Dutch carrier involved in moving the art objects claimed to be unaware of the cargo’s final destination, raising concerns about the involvement of individuals or entities in violating sanctions on luxury goods.
Mkrtich Okroyan, a sanctioned Russian weapons manufacturer and art collector, also reportedly utilized Bek Broker to return his artwork to Russia through Uzbekistan. After an investigation revealed his properties in the U.K., Okroyan’s wife moved $286,000 worth of artwork from the country to Moscow. Okroyan, who leads a plant producing engines for Russian cruise missiles, was subsequently sanctioned by the U.S., EU, and British governments. Despite EU sanctions prohibiting the export of luxury goods to Russia, there are exemptions for artwork on loan as part of cultural cooperation agreements, potentially complicating the legal aspects of the art transport industry.
Alex Prezanti, a British lawyer and co-founder of the non-profit State Capture, highlighted potential criminal liability for individuals or entities in the United Kingdom or the European Union involved in shipping artwork to Russia in violation of sanctions on luxury goods. Prezanti emphasized that the knowledge of the ultimate owner and destination of the artwork plays a significant role in determining liability. Additionally, liability may extend to cases where artwork is transferred to a third country like Uzbekistan if the sender is aware that the final destination is Russia. These legal complexities further underscore the challenges faced by those operating in the art transport industry amid shifting geopolitical circumstances and international sanctions.
The involvement of Bek Broker in transporting valuable artwork from Europe to Russia highlights the complexities surrounding international art trade and sanctions compliance. The case of Alexei Repik and Mkrtich Okroyan, both sanctioned individuals, using the logistics company to return their artwork to Russia via Uzbekistan raises questions about the enforcement of sanctions on luxury goods in the art world. The potential legal implications for individuals and entities facilitating such shipments underscore the need for heightened due diligence and compliance measures within the art transport industry to ensure adherence to international regulations and avoid unintended violations. As geopolitical tensions continue to impact global commerce, the role of logistics companies and art collectors in navigating sanctions regimes remains a critical focus for regulatory authorities and investigative organizations seeking to uphold international laws and prevent illicit activities.
