Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced yesterday the repatriation of three historically significant artifacts to Iraq, valued together at around $500,000. These artifacts, seized during various criminal inquiries, include pieces once owned by Robin Symes, a London-based trafficker who died in 2023. Symes was known for his involvement in the illicit antiquities trade, with more than $58 million worth of items linked to him being recovered so far, as reported by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU), and international partners have worked tirelessly to undo the cultural damage done by traffickers like Symes. "We continue to recover and return antiquities that were trafficked by Robin Symes," Bragg said, "That is a testament to the hard work of attorneys, analysts and investigators who are committed to undoing the significant damage traffickers have caused to our worldwide cultural heritage." This ongoing battle against cultural property-related crimes illustrates the high stakes of international heritage and identity.
Ambassador Nazar Al Khirullah of the Republic of Iraq to the United States praised the collaborative effort, noting the importance of the coalition between Iraq's embassy in Washington, D.C., the Office of the District Attorney in New York, and the dedicated ATU. "This achievement would not have been possible without the sincere partnership and close coordination," Al Khirullah stated, in comments shared by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, expressing "profound gratitude to all who contributed to this meaningful endeavor."
The returned items include a votive terracotta head dating back to 2000-1600 B.C.E., and an alabaster vessel supported by two rams, traced back to around 2600-2500 B.C.E., according to the New York District Attorney's announcement. These artifacts' journey from ancient lands to modern institutions like The Metropolitan Museum in New York underscores, the global nature of antiquity theft and trade. The Met has cooperated with the ATU's investigation, which eventually led to the recovery of these pieces of irreplaceable history.
Since its inception, the Antiquities Trafficking Unit under Bragg's direction has seen the recovery of over 2,350 antiques stolen from 42 countries and valued at more than $250 million, securing the conviction of 17 individuals for related crimes. Much of this success can be attributed to individuals like Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos and his team who spearheaded these efforts, highlighting the thorough work of those on the front lines in the fight to preserve history.
