Prosecutors issued indictments in 14 cases involving 33 people accused of crimes against cultural heritage in 2025 and forwarded the cases to court.
As of the first quarter of 2026, indictments have also been issued in 5 cases involving 7 people and submitted to court.
According to the Dundgovi Province Prosecutor’s Office, on November 2, 2025, Chinese citizens Z.Y. and Z.Ch. intentionally destroyed and damaged the “Khuren Khairkhan Rock Inscription,” a historical and cultural monument under local protection in Delgerkhangai soum, Dundgovi province.
An indictment was filed under Article 25.2, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which covers damage and destruction of historical and cultural immovable monuments. The court found Z.Y. and Z.Ch. guilty and imposed a fine of MNT 5.6 million each. They also paid MNT 9 million in damages for environmental harm.
The Chingeltei District Prosecutor’s Office reported several other cultural heritage cases.
- N, M, and S were found guilty of conducting illegal archaeological and paleontological exploration and excavations, and of obtaining and embezzling tangible cultural heritage items, including a god’s head and a diamond. They were indicted under Articles 25.3 and 25.4 of the Criminal Code. The court fined each of them MNT 5.4 million and ordered the seized cultural heritage items to be transferred to the National Center for Cultural Heritage.
- Sh was convicted under Article 25.3, Part 1 for illegally acquiring and selling cultural heritage items, including Sanduijud and Tarvachinba scriptures. He was fined MNT 5 million, and the items obtained through the crime were transferred to the National Center for Cultural Heritage. Illegally obtained assets and income were confiscated and transferred to state revenue.
- Citizen N was also convicted of illegally acquiring and trading cultural heritage items, including tools and artifacts from the Turkish period. The court fined him MNT 8.1 million and ordered the transfer of the recovered items to the National Center for Cultural Heritage.
Under the Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, citizens and legal entities that possess tangible cultural heritage must register it with relevant authorities, determine its origin, and follow legal procedures for transfer, export, or reporting loss. Transferring such items to foreign individuals or entities without permission is prohibited.
Authorities warned that illegal sale or transfer of unregistered cultural heritage items may result in criminal liability and urged citizens to familiarize themselves with the relevant legal regulations.
According to the Criminal Code, there are seven types of crimes related to cultural heritage, with illegal trade and mediation of tangible cultural heritage being among the most common.
Prosecutors issued indictments in 14 cases involving 33 people accused of crimes against cultural heritage in 2025 and forwarded the cases to court.
As of the first quarter of 2026, indictments have also been issued in 5 cases involving 7 people and submitted to court.
According to the Dundgovi Province Prosecutor’s Office, on November 2, 2025, Chinese citizens Z.Y. and Z.Ch. intentionally destroyed and damaged the “Khuren Khairkhan Rock Inscription,” a historical and cultural monument under local protection in Delgerkhangai soum, Dundgovi province.
An indictment was filed under Article 25.2, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which covers damage and destruction of historical and cultural immovable monuments. The court found Z.Y. and Z.Ch. guilty and imposed a fine of MNT 5.6 million each. They also paid MNT 9 million in damages for environmental harm.
The Chingeltei District Prosecutor’s Office reported several other cultural heritage cases.
- N, M, and S were found guilty of conducting illegal archaeological and paleontological exploration and excavations, and of obtaining and embezzling tangible cultural heritage items, including a god’s head and a diamond. They were indicted under Articles 25.3 and 25.4 of the Criminal Code. The court fined each of them MNT 5.4 million and ordered the seized cultural heritage items to be transferred to the National Center for Cultural Heritage.
- Sh was convicted under Article 25.3, Part 1 for illegally acquiring and selling cultural heritage items, including Sanduijud and Tarvachinba scriptures. He was fined MNT 5 million, and the items obtained through the crime were transferred to the National Center for Cultural Heritage. Illegally obtained assets and income were confiscated and transferred to state revenue.
- Citizen N was also convicted of illegally acquiring and trading cultural heritage items, including tools and artifacts from the Turkish period. The court fined him MNT 8.1 million and ordered the transfer of the recovered items to the National Center for Cultural Heritage.
Under the Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, citizens and legal entities that possess tangible cultural heritage must register it with relevant authorities, determine its origin, and follow legal procedures for transfer, export, or reporting loss. Transferring such items to foreign individuals or entities without permission is prohibited.
Authorities warned that illegal sale or transfer of unregistered cultural heritage items may result in criminal liability and urged citizens to familiarize themselves with the relevant legal regulations.
According to the Criminal Code, there are seven types of crimes related to cultural heritage, with illegal trade and mediation of tangible cultural heritage being among the most common.