Yemen: Antiquities Seized at Airport

Yemen's archaeological heritage is being despoiled for collectables, some of which have been seized when attempts were made to smuggle them out of the country for sale in foreign markets to greedy no-questions-asking collectors abroad:

Over the past seven years, around 1,500 antiques—including coins, and pre-Islamic stone carvings—have been confiscated at Sana’a International Airport. Smugglers have been tucking these ancient artifacts inside clothing and hiding them in bags, hoping to sell them abroad. Now, instead of entering the black market or ending up on a wealthy collector’s shelf, these relics are headed to the Sana’a National Museum [...] Although some smugglers are caught attempting to steal historical items, there are no official statistics estimating smuggled artifacts that evade security.

Yemeni authorities hope that exhibiting the seized contraband in the national museum "will boost the national spirit and raise awareness about Yemen’s rich cultural heritage". Muhanad Al-Saiani, head of the Heritage Authority said that the state's Antiquities Prosecution is pursuing those who sell these relics in local markets, several have been caught and sent to court. He called on residents to inform authorities if they have information about the smuggling rings.

Amal Al-Yarisi, 'Smugglers thwarted at airport, ancient artifacts headed to museum in Sana’a', Yemen Times, 7th March 2013.