Russia denounces the smuggling of antiquities by Daesh … and the complicity of Turks
(BRUSSELS2) In a letter addressed to his colleagues on the United Nations Security Council, Vitaly Churkin, Russian representative to the United Nations, denounces the smuggling organized by the antiquities department of the organization of the Islamic State (Daesh/ISIL). A contraband which would bring in between 150 and 200 million dollars per year and of which he traces precisely in detail the route of the stolen antiquities, from the archaeological sites protected by the UN to their resale on Ebay. He accuses several Turks by name of being accomplices in this traffic. Which amounts, in a thinly veiled way, to calling Turkey into question.
Systematic and highly organized Daesh smuggling
According to the diplomat, smuggling is most organized within the " government from Daesh. It is managed by the Department of Antiquities, headed by Commander Abu Sayyaf al-Iraqi. Department which even grants “ license to undertake archaeological excavations, to collect objects and transport them. The whole " under the tutelage of the so-called ministry in charge of controlling natural resources ».
A $150 million business
« In Syria and Iraq, nearly 100.000 World Heritage objects are in the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). It is estimated that the amount of annual income that the Islamists derive from the trafficking of antiquities and archaeological pieces is between 150 and 200 million dollars. »
Turks complicit in trafficking
The Russian ambassador implicates a large Turkish network. Antiquities would be transported” through the territory of Turkey "And" sold at illegal auctions in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, a hub for the smuggling of heritage pieces, then sold through a network of antique dealers especially in the administrative region of Akçakale (640 km south-east of Ankara, in the province of Şanlıurfa).
A list of names
Russian information services have a detailed list of the Turkish traffickers involved. The letter cites several by name: Ismet Eren, the owner of an antique shop located at No. 24 Karanfil Street, Kilis, is involved in this traffic. Turkish carriers Şenocak Nakliyat, Devran Nakliyat, Karahan Nakliyat and Egemen Nakliyat deliver high volume cargo. »
Worldwide resale via Ebay and social networks
The redistribution towards the collectors from various countries "is done" usually on auction websites such as eBay or on specialized online sales sites according to the Russian. And social networks are not lacking in the arsenal of means used by " extremists", "so as to dispense with intermediaries and sell the antiquities directly to the buyers ».
NB: Unlike the Turks, Ebay reacted quickly to the Russian statements, claiming to be in " verifying the statements in this letter » and have no « interest in seeing illegal lists of cultural and historical property appear” on its platform.
(Leonor Hubaut)
