US retrieves and returns $1.8 million worth of stolen artifacts

The US has handed over 33 ancient artifacts to the Afghan Embassy in Washington DC, US, this week.

The US’s Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that the antiques were valued at approximately $1.8 million.

The Afghan Embassy in Washington DC stated: “Ambassador Roya Rahmani finalized the repatriation of 33 trafficked ancient artifacts back to the care of the

Afghan people in a ceremony at the New York District Attorney’s Office.”

“The diversity of the 2nd to 8th-century artifacts recovered are reflective of Afghanistan’s history as a cultural crossroads,” the Embassy said.

Addressing the ceremony to mark the event, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance stated: “Crimes of culture involving looted and stolen religious relics, such as the nearly two dozen Buddhist statues being repatriated today to the people of Afghanistan, not only tear at the societal fabric of nations but also deprive millions of believers worldwide of the earliest sacred symbols of their faith.”

“I am honored to return this trove of awe-inspiring artifacts exemplifying Afghanistan’s proud cultural heritage and humanity’s enduring quest for spiritual awakening. Over the past decade, my Office’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit and our partners at Homeland Security Investigations have collaborated to recover more than 2,500 relics valued at $143 million from the illicit collection of Subhash Kapoor – including the remarkable items that, in recent weeks, we have repatriated to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan,” he said.

“Since last August, we’ve had the privilege of repatriating 338 stolen objects to seven countries, and we look forward to future ceremonies announcing the return of additional items to their rightful owners,” Vance added.

Meanwhile, Afghan Ambassador Roya Rahmani, who attended the ceremony, stated that the preservation of Afghanistan’s heritage and history is paving the path for civilization and society to grow.

“These recovered works are irreplaceable pieces of Afghanistan’s diverse culture and rich history. It is my greatest honor to help facilitate their return home,” he said.