Policeman among other eight arrested for antiquities trafficking

A police officer from Greece’s antiquities protection department has been arrested, accused of being part of a smuggling ring that was trying to sell an ancient marble statue worth an estimated 1 million euros.

Police said Thursday that the 49-year-old was arrested along with eight other suspects following raids and searches at 11 areas in greater Athens and two others in towns in central and northern Greece.

The almost intact 1,900-year-old Greco-Roman era statue of a male figure measures 65 centimeters from head to knee and is being kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

Police did not say whether the statue had been stolen or illegally excavated, but added that a “large number” of less valuable ancient artifacts had also been seized. [AP]