Authorities Seize 243 Historical Artifacts Valued at 1.5 Million TL
Ankara Police Department Seizes 243 Historical Artifacts Worth 1.5 Million TL
The Ankara Police Department has recently made a significant breakthrough in their fight against the illegal trade of historical artifacts. In a written statement, it was revealed that teams from the Anti-Smuggling Crimes Branch Directorate conducted a nearly 6-month study to uncover individuals violating the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets No. 2863.
During the investigation, it was discovered that two people were holding an online auction at a workplace in Altındağ, where they were selling a variety of historical artifacts from the European and Ottoman periods. These artifacts, considered to be of ethnographic nature, were purchased from both domestic and international sources.
The suspects did not possess the necessary license required by the “Regulation on Trade in Movable Cultural Property and the Inspection of Workplaces and Warehouses Related to This Trade.” As a result, a simultaneous operation was carried out against a total of 12 suspects, with 10 individuals located in Ankara and 2 in Istanbul.
During the operation, a total of 243 historical artifacts were seized, including valuable items such as a flintlock pistol from the 19th and 20th century Ottoman period, medals awarded by Sultans, swords, daggers, and other items used by the janissaries in combat.
Additionally, the seized items included European and French kitchenware from the Ottoman palace, calligraphy plates, and a cloth plate depicting the Süleymaniye Mosque. The estimated market value of the seized artifacts is 1.5 million Turkish Lira, with the final valuation to be conducted by the Ankara Ethnography Museum Directorate.
Legal proceedings are currently underway against the suspects, who are accused of illegally trading in valuable historical artifacts. The successful operation conducted by the Ankara Police Department highlights their commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of Turkey and preventing the illicit trade of historical treasures.
