Russia has brought in lawyers in an effort to end the dispute over who is the rightful owner of a collection of Crimean treasures, currently on display in Amsterdam, according to the Volkskrant.

Amsterdam’s archaeological Allard Pierson museum is in the middle of a complicated legal wrangle about what to do with a collection of precious items from museums in Crimea loaned for an exhibition.

The museum, part of the University of Amsterdam, is currently staging a show entitled ‘The Crimea – Gold and the secrets of the Black Sea’. It features what the museum says is ‘spectacular archaeological finds’ including gold items, a scabbard and a ceremonial helmet, and countless precious gems.

Five museums

The items have been loaned by five different Ukrainian museums, four of which are in Crimea. However, Russia’s annexation of Crimea has created a legal dispute between Moscow and Kiev about the treasures.

Russia says the items should be returned to the museums which loaned them but some in Ukraine say Kiev is the rightful owner. 

The Volkskrant quotes Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinski as saying the lawyers will ‘defend out interests if it comes to dispute, but we hope things will not get that far.’  

The exhibition was due to close at the end of May but has been extended until August 31.