Egypt Seizes 118 Antique Pieces in Historic Operation

Egyptian security forces have launched an operation against a 9-member group accused of conducting illegal excavations for historical artifacts and intending to sell them. 118 pieces suspected to be historical artifacts were found in the possession of the suspects. The Egyptian Ministry of Interior announced that the operation was carried out as part of efforts to combat crimes against the country's historical heritage and protect its cultural assets. The authenticity and historical value of the seized pieces will be determined through examination. Investigations by the Tourism and Antiquities Police revealed that the suspects, residing in Kalyubiye, Sharqiya, and Cairo, were involved in illegal excavations and searches for historical artifacts. During their interrogations, the suspects admitted that the seized pieces belonged to them, stating that they were extracted from illegal excavations in the Shibin el-Kanater region of Kalyubiye governorate. The Egyptian security forces have initiated legal proceedings and begun working with relevant institutions to examine the 118 seized pieces.