The culture ministry has sent inspectors to the Venice Biennale to obtain information about its controversial decision to allow the Russian Pavilion to reopen for the 2026 exhibition, sources said on Wednesday.

The Biennale has come under fierce criticism for the decision, with the European Commission saying it put two million euros EU funding for the event at risk, while Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called on it to revoke the invitation to the Russians.

Last week the jury of the 61st Venice Biennale said it would exclude Russia and Israel from the competition for the Golden Lion and Silver Lion awards because the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for war crimes against their leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Russia has not taken part in the Biennale since 2022, the year it invaded Ukraine.