UPDATES WITH MORE ARRESTS, SEIZED ARTIFACTS; CHANGES HEAD, SPOT, LEDE
By Firat Ozdemir and Muharrem Cin
GAZIANTEP/KUTAHYA, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces seized dozens of Roman-era bronze coins, as well as a funerary stele, and a statue of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, according to local sources.
A statement by local authorities in the southeastern province of Gaziantep said that some 45 coins were found on an individual by gendarmerie forces in the district of Bilek.
While the coins were handed over to Gaziantep Museums Directorate, the suspect was detained for suspected smuggling, the statement added.
Additionally, security forces in the western province of Kutahya arrested two suspects while allegedly trying to sell a Roman-era funerary stele and a statue of Jesus Christ.
Gendarmerie forces in Emet district monitored the suspects after they were found to have carried out illegal excavations and attempted to sell the Roman-era artifacts, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Those artifacts were also handed over to the Kutahya Museums Directorate.