[CPProt.net] Iraqi Antiques Smuggler Sentenced to One Year, Fined YR120, 000

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Iraqi Antiques Smuggler Sentenced to One Year, Fined YR120,000  
By Observer Staff 
Dec 10, 2005 - Vol.VIII Issue 48 
SANA'A-   Iraqi antiquities smuggler Iyad Shakir was sentenced to one year
in prison and fined YR 120,000 (US$650) in a court in Sana'a last Sunday.

Judge Mohammed Al-Thawr, sitting in the East Sana'a Court, also ordered the
artifacts seized at the time of the arrest to be restored to the Antiquities
Authority. 

Policemen arrested the Shakir last January while trying to smuggle the
treasures abroad.

The successful prosecution has been welcomed after difficulties in combating
the theft of ancient items.

Last March, the president of the General Organization for Antiquities &
Museums (GOAM), Dr. Abdullah Bawazir, admitted considerable failures on the
part of the agency and a lack of a system to monitor archaeological issues.

Dr. Bawazir called for GOAM to be given extended powers to oversee
fact-finding investigations at all points of entry and exit to Yemen.
Bawazir announced a new strategy to protect antiquities and combat theft,
smuggling and illegal digging. A special police unit will replace existing
guards at archaeological sites and museums, as he said existing guards had
failed to perform their roles adequately.

However, others have put down this poor performance to the low wages they
receive, a claim refuted by Bawazir, who said they earn up to YR15,000,
despite working part-time and having other sources of income.

The organization has recently scored a number of notable successes in
retrieving artifacts from Bahrain, Great Britain and other countries.
Several smuggling rings have been uncovered.

Yemen Observer Newspaper