Mummy smugglers jailed for life

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Saturday, 13 August 2005, 17:41 GMT 18:41 UK

Mummy smugglers jailed for life

Three men have been jailed for life over a scam to smuggle artefacts
worth more than $50m out of Egypt.

Those found guilty included the former head of Egypt's Supreme Council
of Antiquities, Abdul Karim Abu Shanab.

He was accused of giving smugglers certificates showing genuine
artefacts were imitations, so they could be carried through customs.

<snip>

Officials estimated the smuggling gang exported some 57,000 pieces
worth about $55m (£30m), including human and animal mummies, coins,
statues and wooden sarcophagi.

The authorities intercepted some of the antiquities at Cairo airport,
but others were smuggled all over the world, including some that were
found in Australia for sale on the internet. They have been returned
to Egypt.

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4149204.stm

[SteppingRazor]

1. GAH!! I know somebody with an old Isis statue that was...

how shall we say, "gained through somewhat quasi-legal means"?
I had no idea the punishment was so harsh. I guess that's peculiar to Egypt, and I can certainly understand their wanting to protect their heritage, but still ... yikes!

[roguevalley]

2. you steal a people's culture, you steal their future. Go, Egypt!