Man trying to sell antique artworks arrested in Azerbaijan - UPDATE

As a result of operational activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Azerbaijan, an illegal sale of antique works of art (relating to the period before our era and the initial period of our era) has been stopped, according to the Center for Public Affairs of the DHS.

The Ministry received information, that a group of people in Baku want to sell three works of art made of gold and precious stones, and that these antiques were evaluated by a specialist in 350 thousand USD.

As a result of operational activities, on March 18th, Arif Allahverdiyev (b. 1980) has been found to be possessing two golden animal figures and an ancient rod, which has presumably been used as a symbol of power. The antiques were seized.

Allahverdiyev intended to sell them, before being captured by the police.

As a result of other operational activities, a total of six historical works of art (one rhyton in the form of a lion's head made of gold, an animal figures made of gold, a figure of man riding on a ghazal of turquoise, one rhyton of bronze, two small male figures in bronze) were withdrawn from Hafiz Yusifov (b. 1983), Mazahir Gurbanov (b. 1956), Rizvan Rzayev (b. 1973). The listed persons intended to sell the precious items for 250 000 dollars.

According to the primary conclusions of the experts, all the items are unique, among those found during the archaeological research. The items are rare works of art, prior to our era, and the early period of our era. As of now, the specialists continue the reseach.

On the fact of the Main Investigation Department of Homeland Security brought a criminal case under article 206.3.2 (smuggling of items of cultural, historical or archaeological value, a group of persons by prior agreement) of the Criminal Code. Allahverdiyev Allahyar Arif oglu, Aliyev, Zaur Agaguseyn oglu, Mirzoev Ahmed Mohammed oglu were all detained as suspects.

The investigation goes on, to investigate all the circumstances of the criminal case and to identify other participants in these illegal acts.


/Trend News/