A repatriation ceremony of two ancient artefacts dating back to ancient Rome was held on 12 September at the Italian Embassy in Stockholm, a marble female torso dating back to the 2nd/3rd century AD and an ancient gold coin with the effigy of the Emperor Honorius dating back to the 4th century AD.
The operation was conducted by the Operational Unit of the Carabinieri Department for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, in cooperation with the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) and the Swedish Police, as well as the Italian and Swedish offices of the Eurojust Desk, which coordinated the operation at EU-level.
This is the first time that an operation to recover cultural heritage artefacts stolen abroad has taken place in Sweden.
The Italian Ambassador, Vinicio Mati, welcomed in his Residence the delegation that had come to take charge of the two finds, thanking the Authorities involved in the operation.
“The ceremony” the Ambassador stated “has a high symbolic value in that it celebrates the success of an international operation to recover Italian archaeological artefacts stolen abroad and bears witness to the commitment of the Italian authorities responsible for safeguarding and defending our cultural heritage, through the fight against illegal trafficking and the smuggling of works of art”.
Photo credits: Cawa Media
