Antiquities minister reveals major theft at Egyptian Museum – Middle East Monitor

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181210-antiquities-minister-reveals-major-theft-at-egyptian-museum/

Antiquities minister reveals major theft at Egyptian Museum

December 10, 2018 at 9:32 am | Published in: Africa, Egypt, Middle East, News, UAE

A picture taken on November 19, 2018, shows the Egyptian Museum in Cairo during a ceremony celebrating the 116th anniversary of the museum. (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)

December 10, 2018 at 9:32 am

"I am investigating a major antiquities issue. I will not be able to talk about it, but I have to tell you that this piece was stolen and smuggled from inside the Egyptian Museum," El-Enani said during a meeting of parliament's Committee of Information, Culture and Antiquities.

According to the Egyptian minister a number of artifacts were seized in the UAE Emirate of Sharjah, some were returned to Egypt.

The minister added that 21,600 coins and 151 small statues were seized in a major smuggling case to Italy noting that the public prosecution, in coordination with a number of Egyptian authorities, returned the artifacts within a month, while investigations are underway to find the perpetrators.

Committee member, MP Osama Sharshar said the items were smuggled in diplomatic bags.

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