(starts)

Two looters of historical artefacts in Turkey have been arrested after one accused the other of trying to keep the lot – and called the cops.

The two tomb raiders identified as Ebabil A. and Yunus O., who discovered artefacts dating back to the Roman period while digging in the fields of the city of Mus in Turkey, have been arrested after the argument.

The smugglers failed to report their findings to any state institutions after transporting them to the district of Gungoren in Istanbul, Turkey, before their disagreement took place, according to local media reports from 4th October.

After an enraged and hard done by Ebabil A. threatened to report their findings to the police, Yunus O. allegedly hid the stolen items at a friend’s workplace.

Yunus O.’s friend, a man known simply as Hakan D., was also taken into custody along with the two other suspects after Ebabil A. followed through with his threats and reported the looting to the police.

The items were then seized by teams from the Gungoren Public Security Bureau after an unsuccessful raid took place at Yunus O.’s workplace before the defeated looter revealed that the objects were hidden in a ventilation gap at Hakan D.’s place of work.

Yunus O. went on to inform investigators that Hakan D. was aware of the hidden items.

The three suspects were charged with “The Smuggling of Cultural and Natural Property” or historical artefact smuggling after investigators discovered a white bag filled with stolen artefacts at Hakan D’s workplace.

This included a beautifully preserved bracelet, a small statue and four roman coins, according to reports.

(T4 / ends)