Istanbul police seize over 3,700 historical artifacts

Among artifacts are war spear featuring Quranic verse, more than 2,000-year-old ceramic objects, glassworks

By Halil Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - Istanbul police seized more than 3,700 historical artifacts in citywide operations, including more than 2,000-year-old objects, security sources said on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip, the anti-smuggling and organized crimes teams launched 11 operations between Jan. 13 and Feb. 25 in several districts of Istanbul, arresting 12 suspects.

Among the artifacts seized were over 3,400 pieces of coins and some 260 ancient objects, with some of them belonging to the Byzantine, Roman, Greek, Hellenistic, Ottoman, and Seljuk eras.

Candle holders from the 17th century featuring Mamluk-era motifs, a war spear with a Quranic verse on it, and 2,400-year-old ceramic objects as well as 2,200-year-old Roman era glassworks were among the pieces.

The suspects were released by the court pending trial.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan

Kaynak:

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