Switzerland returns confiscated artifacts to Iraq
BERN, Switzerland — During a ceremony held at the Ministry of Culture in Bern, Switzerland Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume Schneider handed over 3 artifacts belonging to the civilization of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people, which include part of a statue and 2 reliefs, to Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
The Ministry stated that the 3 works dating back to 2800 years are of great importance to Iraq.
They were confiscated during criminal procedure in the Geneva canton last year, along with the confiscation of 43 additional heritage items in this case.
The Ministry declared that the main defendant in this case was sentenced to prison for forgery of documents and violation of Cultural Property Transfer Act.