Turkish police have seized more than 10,000 historic artefacts from a home in Istanbul, leading to the arrest of two individuals, authorities announced on Thursday.
Operation Details
Istanbul police chief Selami Yildiz confirmed that the operation was carried out by the anti-smuggling directorate. “An operation was carried out by our anti-smuggling directorate and two individuals were arrested. Our cultural heritage constitutes our country’s collective memory and the universal heritage of humanity,” Yildiz said.
Items Recovered
Among the items seized are 3,366 coins, inscriptions, and various historical artefacts reflecting the social life, beliefs, and economic activities of the Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, according to the private Turkish news agency DHA.
Broader Context
Turkish authorities aggressively crack down on illegal trading in the country’s antiquities. Last year, Turkey secured the return of 180 plundered artworks.
