German Man Caught Smuggling Gold into Russia Faces Five Years in Prison

A German man faces up to five years in prison for attempting to smuggle over 90 million roubles' worth of gold into Russia. Stopped by customs officials and FSB officers in Pskov, he was found with 13 kilograms of gold bars. The German foreign office is providing consular assistance.

A German man could face up to five years in prison after being caught attempting to smuggle over 90 million roubles' ($982,500) worth of gold into Russia, according to the local customs authority in Pskov.

Customs officials and FSB officers intercepted the 58-year-old, who was reportedly carrying 13 kilograms of gold bars in his motor home. Pskov is situated roughly 20 kilometers from Russia's border with Estonia.

The German foreign office acknowledged the situation and confirmed that consular assistance is being provided by Germany's consulate general in St Petersburg. A criminal case is now underway, and the man also faces a potential fine of up to 1 million roubles.

The detention of Western citizens, recently highlighted by multi-country prisoner swaps, is becoming increasingly sensitive amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. ($1 = 91.6000 roubles)

(With inputs from agencies.)