In Turkey, a tourist from Belgium, Kim Mergits, was arrested for attempting to remove ancient stones belonging to a historical landmark.
According to the publication, the traveler was detained while attempting to fly home, when her luggage was inspected. She is accused of stealing three archaeological artifacts that she took from the city of Manavgat in eastern Turkey.
A tourist from Antwerp said that she had no idea about the historical significance of these stones and wanted to take them home to place them in an aquarium. She learned that the stones are protected by the Turkish law on the protection of cultural and natural values only from customs officials.
“We understand that we are wrong and that we did something here that is not in accordance with the law, but just impose a fine. We are going to pay it. It doesn’t matter how much. We understand that a mistake was made. But I am being punished much more severely,” – Sky News quotes the 28-year-old Belgian as saying.
According to Turkish law, the export of such artifacts from the country is prohibited. Kim faces a large fine or even imprisonment. She is currently awaiting a court hearing. She is suspected of smuggling.
It is noted that the historical finds were sent for examination to the Antalya Archaeological Museum. According to experts, two stones are “pieces of flooring,” and another is “an architectural decoration with two rosettes.”