U.S. returns scores of smuggled artifacts to Iraq government

(Reuters) - More than 60 Iraqi cultural artifacts smuggled into the United States, including a limestone statue of an ancient king, were returned to the government of Iraq on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The move follows investigations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in New York, Baltimore, Austin, Texas, and New Haven, Connecticut, the department said in a statement.

One of the most significant items that was returned is a limestone statue depicting the head of the Assyrian King Sargon II, an eighth century B.C. ruler.

Immigration and Customs agents seized the looted artifact in August 2008 after an antiquities dealer based in Dubai shipped it to New York. The investigation led to the identification of an international network dealing in illicit cultural artifacts, the statement said.

Other artifacts repatriated to Iraq include gold-plated items, such as a soap dish, looted from the private airport and palace of executed former President Saddam Hussein.

Bronze objects, including a Luristan ax from early Sumeria, and clay reliefs and glass objects were also returned.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement unit has returned more than 1,200 items to Iraq in four repatriations since 2008, the statement said.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Bernadette Baum)

Repatriation of Cultural Treasures to the Republic of Iraq

Media Note – Office of the Spokesperson – Washington, DC – March 13, 2015

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan will join Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Sarah Saldaña and Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily on Monday, March 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. to repatriate more than 60 items which had been smuggled into the United States.

The return of these items demonstrates the United States’ commitment to cultural preservation and respect for the heritage of other countries. At a time when ISIL is destroying the ancient monuments and artifacts of Iraq’s rich history, the United States continues to work towards preserving its historical legacy for the Iraqi people and for the world. This repatriation comes in the framework of increasing U.S.-Iraq cooperation in matters of cultural heritage preservation under the Agreed Framework Agreement between the two countries.

The repatriation ceremony will be held at the Consulate of Iraq, 1801 P Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Reporters who wish to cover the event must RSVP toBrandon.A.Montgomery@ice.dhs.gov. Media can arrive at 10 a.m. and be in place no later than 10:30 a.m. Valid media credentials are required to attend.

Repatriation of Cultural Treasures to the Republic of Iraq

Media Note – Office of the Spokesperson – Washington, DC – March 13, 2015

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan will join Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Sarah Saldaña and Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily on Monday, March 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. to repatriate more than 60 items which had been smuggled into the United States.

The return of these items demonstrates the United States’ commitment to cultural preservation and respect for the heritage of other countries. At a time when ISIL is destroying the ancient monuments and artifacts of Iraq’s rich history, the United States continues to work towards preserving its historical legacy for the Iraqi people and for the world. This repatriation comes in the framework of increasing U.S.-Iraq cooperation in matters of cultural heritage preservation under the Agreed Framework Agreement between the two countries.

The repatriation ceremony will be held at the Consulate of Iraq, 1801 P Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Reporters who wish to cover the event must RSVP toBrandon.A.Montgomery@ice.dhs.gov. Media can arrive at 10 a.m. and be in place no later than 10:30 a.m. Valid media credentials are required to attend.