FBI returns ancient cultural artifacts to Egypt

UPDATE (5:10 PM): The FBI Los Angeles Field Office held a repatriation ceremony to return 48 cultural artifacts to representatives of the Egyptian government.

The ongoing investigation revealed that the artifacts were illegally tafficked from Egypt.

Egyptians officials confirmed that the items were authentic artifacts of Egyptian cultural property with no record of them being legally removed from the country.

The suspected trafficker is now dead, but the investigation continues and officials look to identify co-conspirators and the possibility of finding other artifacts.

“With the assistance of the Department of State and Antiquities experts, and with the assistance of the FBI’s legal attache in Cairo, Egypt, it was confirmed that all 48 objects displayed here today originated from Egypt and should be rightfully returned to the people of Egypt.

These artifacts represent the rich history of Egypt. Most of them are thousands of years old, and their cultural significance to the Egyptian people is invaluable. The items include carved figurines, amulets, and tomb equipment, among other items from the Pharaonic, Roman, and Coptic periods. These objects were located in the United States and now have a clear path of return through proper diplomatic channels.”

Patrick Grandy, FBI Assistant Director in Charge

“It is an immense honor to be a part of this celebratory occasion to observe the return of 48 Egyptian artifacts to their ancestral home. Historical artifacts represent a tremendous source of heritage and culture and rightfully provokes a profound sense of national pride. I want to recognize the outstanding work of the FBI.”

Dr. Hossam Eldeen Aly, His Excellency, Ambassador

The FBI Art Crime Team was created in 2004 to combat the increase of cultural crimes worldwide.

The team is uniquely trained in art and cultural property investigations and have recovered more than 20,000 items, collectively worth more than $1 billion.

LOS ANGELES (KYMA, NBC) – The FBI Los Angeles Field Office is holding a press conference Friday morning.

In a press release obtained by NBC News, this is to announce that they are returning ancient cultural artifacts to the people of Egypt.

The FBI said, in the press release, this was based on an investigation by their Art Crime Team in Los Angeles.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy is participating in the press conference, along with Dr. Hossam Eldeen Aly, Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Los Angeles, and Rachel Washington, Regional Director for the State Department.

To watch the livestream of the press conference, see attached video.