via the Manhattan DA’s Office, 09 June 2021: Artefacts were seized as part of investigations into Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Weiner.
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr. today announced the return of 27 antiquities valued at approximately $3.8 million to the people of Cambodia during a repatriation ceremony attended by Cambodia’s Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian Ambassador to the United States, Chum Sounry and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Special Agent in Charge Erik Rosenblatt.
“The repatriation of these 27 stunning relics to the people of Cambodia restores an important link between the nation’s classical Angkor era and its modern customs and beliefs that, for far too long, was disrupted by the greed of stolen antiquities traffickers,” said District Attorney Vance. “Today’s event is a powerful reminder that individuals who plunder and sell culturally significant items are committing crimes not only against a country’s heritage but also its present and future. I want to thank my Office’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit and our partners at Homeland Security Investigations for their relentless efforts that have resulted in nearly 400 treasures being returned to 10 countries over the past year. I look forward to further repatriations in the near future.”
“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to combatting the plundering of cultural heritage and the illicit trafficking of cultural property,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge, Peter C. Fitzhugh. “Today, more than two dozen antiquities are being returned to the people of Cambodia; and while the underground market value of these items is in the millions, these pieces are invaluable to the preservation of Cambodian history. HSI New York is proud to have worked this investigation with DANY that led to the ultimate return of these items to their home country, as each artifact is a testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia.”
Source: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office: Manhattan D.A.’S Office Returns 27 Antiquities To Cambodia
See also:
- 27 stolen Cambodian antiquities to be returned from US | Phnom Penh Post, 10 June 2021
- US returns trafficked Cambodian antiquities | Khmer Times, 10 June 2021
- Manhattan District Attorney Returns 27 Looted Artifacts to Cambodia | ArtNews, 11 June 2021
- Ancient heritage recovered: Cambodian Ambassador accepts return of lost artefacts | Khmer Times, 11 June 2021
- U.S. To Return 27 Smuggled Khmer Antiquities to Cambodia | 11 June 2021
- United States returns 27 stolen antiquities to Cambodia | Reuters, 11 June 2021
- U.S. Returns $3.8 Million Worth of Looted Artifacts to Cambodia | OCCRP, 14 June 2021
