Turkey arrests 2 over historical artifact smuggling

Many artifacts seized in operations in Izmir, Eskisehir provinces

By Safak Yel and Emrah Yasar

IZMIR / ESKISEHIR, Turkey (AA) – Turkish security forces said Thursday they have arrested at least two suspects for smuggling historical artifacts.

Police teams conducted a raid at an address in the Bornova district of the western Izmir province, according to a statement.

Some 125 bronze and silver coins, two rings, two gold earrings and two artifacts belonging to the Archaic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods were seized in the operation

In another western province, Eskisehir, gendarmerie teams on the Cifteler-Emirdag highway stopped the vehicle of a suspect allegedly trying to sell historical artifacts.

A bronze statue of Virgin Mary and a bronze cross from the Hellenistic period were founded in the vehicle.

The suspect was arrested and then released on condition of judicial control.

Kaynak: