The deliberate destruction or damaging of the cultural heritage will be punished with a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 lei or up to one year in jail in the case of private individuals and a fine of 30,000 to 60,000 lei or ban on carrying out particular activities for a period of one to three years in the case of legal entities. Amendments to this effect to the Penal Code were endorsed by the executive on February 17, IPN reports.

Fines will be also imposed for performing unauthorized works at archeological sites or in areas of archeological potential, including for digging with the aim of finding treasures. The fine for stealing cultural heritage from archeological sites or areas of archeological potential will be 20,000 to 40,000 lei. In the case of persons involved in archeological works, the fine will be 80,000 to 100,000 lei. 

There were included different penalties for violating the regime of protecting archeological property, historical and cultural monuments and mobile cultural heritage.

The amendments also specify the circle of persons empowered to control the commission of offenses related to heritage.

Minister of Culture Monica Babuc said the amendments define clear mechanisms for protecting the archeological patrimony and the cultural and historical monuments.