Turkey repatriates more than 7,800 objects as part of anti-trafficking campaign

The continued efforts of anti-trafficking cultural heritage teams under the General Directorate of Cultural Property and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism demonstrate Turkey's unwavering commitment to tracking and repatriating stolen items , as director Birol Inceciköz revealed in a recent statement. Inceciköz announced that since 2018, Turkey has successfully brought back 7,824 artifacts to its home country.

Highlighting the creation of a dedicated team within the ministry focused on the identification and recovery of smuggled historical treasures, Inceciköz highlighted collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies, including the police and gendarmerie, which have resulted in significant achievements.

The elevation of the Anti-Smuggling Directorate within the ministry to the level of departmental presidency in 2018, Inceciköz noted, indicates Turkey's increased attention to combating artifact smuggling. “Through meticulous monitoring, we ensure that stolen items find their way back to Turkish soil, validated by protocols signed with partner countries,” he added.

Reflecting on Turkey's proactive stance, Inceciköz asserted that the nation has become a global example in artifact restitution and combating smuggling activities. “We are now setting standards,” he said, citing Turkey's advanced technological capabilities and expertise in proving the origin of artifacts.

Looking ahead, Inceciköz highlighted Turkey's ambitious goal of repatriating all stolen artifacts, highlighting ongoing educational campaigns to raise awareness about the seriousness of artifact smuggling and the importance of local preservation efforts.

In a parallel effort to enrich cultural tourism, Inceciköz highlighted Turkey's progress in improving museum infrastructure and visitor experiences. He revealed that since 2002, the number of museums nationwide has increased from 183 to 214 as of May 2024, with 169 museums undergoing renovation and restoration.

Attributing this positive trajectory to the leadership of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Inceciköz welcomed the introduction of innovative projects such as “Night Museums”, announced by the minister, aimed at keeping museums open and illuminated until late at night in tourist centers where temperatures are high during the summer, encouraging tourists to explore beyond their hotels and benefit other stakeholders in the city. Launched to boost tourism in regions renowned for sun and sand, the “Museums at Night” project has already seen a remarkable 47% increase in the number of visitors to certain historic sites.

17 artifacts in 2024

As part of the ministry's ongoing efforts, 17 objects have been repatriated this year alone. Among them, two artifacts were returned each from France and the United Kingdom, 11 from Italy and one each from Switzerland and Germany. This year notably saw the repatriation of a bronze coin dating from the reign of the Byzantine emperor Justin I (518-527) and another bronze coin from the time of Nasreddin Artuk-Aslan (1200-1239) , both seized from an individual residing in the country. In France.