07.05.2025 12:01
In the garden of a vineyard house in the Zile district of Tokat, four individuals conducting unauthorized excavations discovered a mosaic featuring Ancient Greek inscriptions and a female figure. The suspects were caught while attempting to sell the mosaic to a contact in Italy. Two of the suspects were arrested while the mosaic was seized.
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The Tokat Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams conducted an operation yesterday upon receiving information that illegal excavation was taking place in the garden of a vineyard house in the center of Zile district. During the operation, it was determined that suspects F.Ş. (47), M.Ş. (45), and Ş.Ş. (49) were excavating in the vineyard house.
2,000-YEAR-OLD MOSAIC SEIZED
A 2,000-year-old mosaic measuring 3 meters by 3 meters, featuring Ancient Greek writing and a female figure, was seized at the excavation site. It was determined that the suspects attempted to conceal the excavated area by covering it with bags.
2 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Following the instructions of the on-duty public prosecutor, legal proceedings were initiated under the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets. F.Ş., M.Ş., and Ş.Ş. were apprehended at the scene, while A.Ş., with whom they were connected, was taken into custody at his residence. Among the detained suspects, F.Ş. and A.Ş. were arrested by the court they were brought to last night and sent to Zile M Type Closed Prison, while M.Ş. and Ş.Ş. were released under judicial control.
THEY WERE GOING TO SELL IT TO ITALIANS
It was learned that the seized historical artifact would be subjected to detailed examination by experts. Furthermore, it was alleged that the individuals conducting the illegal excavation were attempting to sell the mosaic found in the vineyard house to a person they had contacted in Italy. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Source: DHA, İHA
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