Ankara reclaims 65k pieces in record-size historical artifact heist raid

The Turkish government reclaimed 65 thousand historical artifacts in a raid in Aegean provinces of Izmir and Manisa, halting the largest heist in the history of the republic. Seven suspects were detained for the attempted heist.

Duvar English

The Turkish government reclaimed 65 thousand historical artifacts in a raid in Aegean Izmir and Manisa, halting the largest heist in the history of the republic, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said on Aug. 14.

One of the coins from the Izmir heist.

"65 thousand artifacts, 52 thousand of which were coins, remained where they belong thanks to the largest historical artifacts raid in the history of the republic," Ersoy tweeted.

Seven suspects were detained for the attempted heist.

The coins were traced back to the Lydia civilization that existed between around 1200 and 500 B.C.

One of the coins from the Izmir heist.

Turkish police's Smuggling and Organized Crime Directorate (KOM) shared a video on their social media showing officers digging artifacts out of dirt and flower pots.

A person was also detained for trying to sell a vase, two bronze statues and two bronze containers for 500,000 liras in western Balıkesir.

The statues, vase and containers in Balikesir.

Police searched his house and vehicle, confiscated the artifacts and started the legal process against the suspect.

Finally, a suspect with one book, 18 coins, two rings and four statues was detained in southeastern Gaziantep during a road control.

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Topics ancient culture and tourism minister ancient remains historical artifacts artifacts raid smugglers