Iran Recovers 940 Stolen Antiquities, Arrests 36

International News Article | Reuters.com: "Iran Recovers 940 Stolen Antiquities, Arrests 36
Tue Nov 30, 2004 07:43 AM ET

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian police have smashed an antiquities smuggling ring, arresting 36 people and recovering more than 940 stolen treasures, the Web site of the state Cultural Heritage Organization said Tuesday.
Police in the central Zagros mountain province of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari recovered gold and silver coins, swords, figurines, vases, mirrors and inscribed tablets from pre-Islamic dynasties such as the Seleucids and Sassanids.

Looting of archaeological sites has been widespread in Iran, with private collectors in Europe and the United States offering high prices for masterpieces of Persian art.

Iran is belatedly turning up the pressure on smugglers through a special task force. Two smugglers were sentenced to hang earlier this year."