12 smuggled historical artifacts to be brought to country

Twelve historical artifacts previously smuggled from Türkiye will be brought to the country as of March 22, Culture and Tourism Ministry Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has stated.

Reminding that his ministry has brought the fight against smuggling of historical artifacts to the level of independent departments within the body of the ministry, Ersoy underlined that they effectively implement bilateral protocols with countries that currently have smuggled artifacts from Türkiye.

"Thus, court process that would take eight to 10 years under normal circumstances can go down to seven or eight months. This discourages the receiver country," Ersoy said in a televised interview.

"The buyer knows that the moment he puts it on display somewhere, the Turkish government will notice and follow up the situation, and then eventually ensure that the artifacts are returned," he added.

Ersoy noted the ministry's determination on this issue also reduces the marketing value of historical monuments and cultural assets of Anatolian origin so that smugglers' dealings can be prevented.

They have managed to bring a significant number of cultural assets back to the country from abroad in the recent period, the minister pointed out.

Within a collaboration with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, 12 historical artifacts and cultural assets will be brought to the country as of March 22.

A bronze statue of a Roman Emperor and two heads stolen from Perge ancient city located in today's southern province of Antalya are among the artifacts that will return to their home, Ersoy announced.

They will be exhibited at the Antalya Archaeology Museum as of March 31, the minister also noted.

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