13.11.2026 19:00
An operation was carried out against a suspect determined to have been engaged in illegal trade of cultural property in Istanbul and to have possessed artifacts listed as stolen in INTERPOL records. During simultaneous raids on 3 houses and 8 businesses in Bakırköy and Silivri, 2,456 artifacts and objects were seized, including gold and silver coins, a sword, a dagger, a yatagan, and sculpture fragments. It was learned that the detained suspect will be referred to the courthouse.
An operation was conducted against a suspect determined to be engaged in the illegal trade of cultural property in Istanbul and to possess artifacts listed as stolen in INTERPOL records. In raids on 3 houses and 8 businesses in Bakırköy and Silivri, a total of 2,456 artifacts and objects were seized, including gold and silver coins, swords, daggers, yataghans, and sculpture pieces. One suspect was detained in the operation.
Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Smuggling Crimes Branch Directorate launched work to prevent the illegal trade of cultural property under the coordination of the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. During the work, one suspect was identified who was determined to be engaged in the illegal trade of cultural property and to possess artifacts listed as stolen in INTERPOL records.
SIMULTANEOUS RAIDS ON 11 ADDRESSES
An operation was conducted in the Bakırköy and Silivri districts on November 13 to uncover the suspect's activities and seize cultural property subject to illegal trade. Simultaneous raids were carried out on a total of 11 addresses, consisting of 3 houses and 8 businesses. One suspect was detained in the operation.
2,456 ARTIFACTS AND OBJECTS SEIZED
In searches carried out at the houses and businesses, a total of 2,456 artifacts and objects were seized, including gold and silver coins, terracotta artifacts and objects, faucet heads, swords, daggers, and yataghans, as well as sculpture pieces. It was learned that the seized cultural property would be sent to the relevant museums for examination, and that the detained suspect would be referred to the courthouse after statement procedures at the police station.