UPDATE - Nearly 640 historical artifacts seized in Turkey

UPDATES WITH OPERATION IN DENIZLI PROVINCE; CHANGES NUMBER OF ARTIFACTS SEIZED; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Esber Ayaydin and Sebahatdin Zeyrek

SANLIURFA/DENIZLI, Turkey (AA) – A total of 639 historical artifacts were seized Monday in Turkey, while two suspects were arrested, according to security sources.

At least 523 Roman-era artifacts were seized in southeastern Sanliurfa, while one suspect was arrested, said a source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

As a result of the gendarmerie teams' intelligence efforts in the province and organized-crime division, the historical artifacts were detected in a workplace in the Viransehir district, the source said.

The organized-crime teams launched the operation to seize 473 Roman-period coins, 15 rings, a statue, bracelet, and arrowhead, as well as 32 historical objects, the source added.

The suspect identified by the initials S.P. was nabbed during the operation.

Separately, in the southwestern Denizli province, 116 coins were seized in an operation launched following technical and psychical surveillance by police teams, said a source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

A suspect's vehicle was searched during the operation, and the coins and various objects belonging to different eras were found, the source added.

The suspect, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested.

*Writing by Sena Guler in Ankara.