In the Swiss Freeport find stolen Etruscan artifacts stored there for more than 15 years

A valuable collection of Etruscan artifacts, including two sarcophagi, was returned by the Swiss authorities in Italy. Items were removed from the Freeport in Geneva

• Etruscan vase, found in the Geneva Freeport and returned the other artifacts in Italy
  Source: artdaily.com

Switzerland returned to Italy his most valuable collection of Etruscan artifacts found in the Geneva Freeport. 45 boxes returned, apparently, were previously removed from the country illegally. In the "free zone" have been hiding them for over 15 years. Among the most valuable exhibits — two rare sarcophagus.

the story of the discovery of the collection started in 2014, when the Italian authorities appealed to the Swiss asking for help in the search for the stolen sarcophagus. The Italian carabinieri had knowledge that the sarcophagus presumably passed through the duty-free zone Geneva Free Ports. The search conducted by the Prosecutor Claudio Mascotto in the Geneva Freeport have led to an unexpected discovery. In addition to the two Etruscan sarcophagi with lids beautifully carved with a reclining man and woman, were found many objects which are also considered stolen. Among the seized artifacts were bas-reliefs, whole vases and fragments of vases, frescoes, heads, busts and objects of worship.

All of the confiscated items were brought to Geneva Freeport, a former British art-дилером, whose name has previously been associated with trafficking in stolen property. The identity of this person not disclosed to the press. In the store they spent more than 15 years, being registered to an offshore company.

According to Italian experts, most of the items come from the regions of Lazio and Umbria. Some items associated with the so-called "plunderers of tombs" — tombaroli.

the story of the discovery and seizure of stolen Etruscan artifacts from Geneva "free zone" once again reminded us that the rules of storage of things in the past reportaj change and the inviolability of the content of cells may soon be in the past. At the end of last year, the Swiss authorities announced their intention to regulate the retention rules. Restrictions on "free havens" are part of a massive public campaign to combat money laundering, smuggling and other illegal activity.

the Material was prepared by Maria Onuchin, AI

Sources: swissinfo.ch, artdaily.com, artinvestment.ru