Over 3,000 antiques worth more than EUR 100 million have been seized in an international operation, coordinated from Sofia, the Greek police reported. One of the largest antiquities smuggling networks has been dismantled with the support of Europol and Eurojust. 35 people have been arrested. Authorities from Albania, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom participated in uncovering the network.
The investigation began after a search in Bulgaria in 2020, during which around 7,000 priceless Greco-Roman antiques were seized. According to 24chasa.bg, this is the collection of businessman Vasil Bozhkov. During the operation on November 19, 131 locations were searched – 1 in Albania, 120 in Bulgaria, 3 in France, 3 in Germany, and 4 in Greece. The group financed treasure hunters in Bulgaria, across the Balkans, and in Italy. Most of the antiques have no provenance documents or have dubious documentation.
Edited by Ivo IvanovPublished and translated by Kostadin Atanasov
Photo: BTA
Russia’s Lukoil said it reserves the right to pursue legal action to defend its rights and legitimate interests in Bulgaria after a special administrator took control of its local assets. LUKOIL Neftohim special administrator removes board chair..
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will open a technology center in Bulgaria focused on emerging technologies such as Big Data , artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud services. This becomes possible after the..
Violations were found in 27% of the inspected sections along the Black Sea coast , according to the control authorities of the Ministry of Environment and Water. Minister Manol Genov ordered the inspection following the October floods in the southern..
The first quaternary wastewater treatment plant in Bulgaria was opened today in the village of Benkovski, Maritsa Municipality. “Today we are launching..
Bulgaria has officially become part of the European cultural route “The Wine Route” ( Iter Vitis ) . The certificate of membership was presented to..
Over the next 24 hours, cloudy and foggy conditions are expected across much of the western Danube and Upper Thracian plains. Rain is likely in western..
Rain
Cloudy
Overcast, rain
Mostly Cloudy