2024-03-14 01:54:00
French customs have seized 8,659 antique pieces originating from Turkey, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said on Wednesday.
Among these objects, two Byzantine tablets were notably identified and then appraised by the services of the Louvre Museum, including an “exemption plaque” (tabula ansata), from the 6th century, of inestimable value, specifies the ministry in a statement.
This finding is the result of an international investigation begun in February 2021 following a request from the Austrian authorities, the same source notes.
“After a seizure of 1,691 ancient coins and 45 artifacts, the investigations carried out by the Austrian partner made it possible to demonstrate that these coins had been purchased in France, from a French company,” notes the press release.
Continuing the investigation, French customs officers uncovered trafficking in cultural property looted in Turkey (source country), then transiting via Bulgaria and Austria, and destined for Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland , the Netherlands and France.
1710397904
#seizure #antique #pieces #Türkiye