Tunisia: Smuggling attempt of 18 antique artifacts foiled

Tunisian customs busted Thursday an attempt to smuggle 18 artifacts in the coastal town of Skhira, in the Sfax governorate.

The customs detained a Tunisian citizen who was about to leave the country carrying 18 antique pieces, banned for trading, aboard a van heading to capital Tunisia.

The suspect told authorities he was commissioned by a foreign woman residing in the North African country who wanted the archeological items to be shipped to her home country. This country has not been revealed.

The National Heritage Institute confirmed the authenticity of the items banned for trade and prohibited to transport without permit.

The case has been handed over to the justice for investigation.

The North African country launched in May 2020 a probe into the theft of a lot of historical items shipped to France to be sold at auction.

The artifacts, 114, according to the head of National Heritage Institute Faouzi Mahfoudh were smuggled out in the second half of March amid the covid-19 pandemic and were scheduled to be auctioned at Paris-based Coutau-Bégarie auction house.

The artifacts include an ancient Quran, which belonged to Mohamed el-Moncef Bey, one of the last representatives of the Husseinite monarchy that ruled Tunisia from 1705 until its independence from France in 1957.

The stolen objects also include the original copy of a reference book on the Husseinite monarchy written by 19th century Tunisian historian and politician Ahmed ibn Abi Dhiaf; ceremonial apparel from the start of the 20th century; religious manuscripts; poetry books; and official correspondence.