An investigation by the Warsaw Regional Prosecutor’s Office uncovered an international crime syndicate that stole Russian‑language rare books from the Warsaw University Library between December 2022 and October 2023.
Investigation Finds International Heist
The Warsaw Regional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that 78 rare books, including first editions by Pushkin, Krylov, Gogol and Lermontov, were stolen from the Warsaw University Library. Their total value was estimated at 3 825 600 zł.
Organised Crime Group Across Europe
Theft was carried out by an international criminal group operating throughout Europe, involving citizens of Eastern bloc countries. The group targeted Russian‑language books from European states and smuggled them to buyers in Russia.
Key Suspect Mikhail Z. Confesses
In September 2025, prosecutors interviewed Georgian citizen Mikhail Z. in Lithuanian detention. He admitted to stealing all old books and explained that a Russian contact directed him to specific titles for resale, mainly via auctions at Moscow and St Petersburg’s “Litfond” house.
According to his statements, he posed as a library reader, searching national and university libraries in European capitals such as Prague and Vilnius.
Cooperative Initiative: JIT “Pushkin”
At the request of Polish authorities, the International Joint Investigation Team “Pushkin” was formed to coordinate the investigation and share evidence across borders.
Arrests in Poland and Further Evidence
Poland received international legal assistance, leading to the arrest of two Georgian citizens—Anna G. and Mate T.—in Poland. Anna G. admitted to stealing five rare books in October 2023, while Mate T. denied the allegations and refused to cooperate. The books Anna G. took were suspected forgeries that Mikhail Z. had substituted earlier.
Current Investigation and Restitution Plans
Georgian prosecutors have sent interrogation protocols and lists of seized historic books to Polish authorities, requesting photographs for verification of provenance. Ongoing preparatory proceedings aim to locate all stolen items and facilitate their restitution to the Warsaw University Library.
