Manhattan Prosecutor's Office Returns Three Indonesian Artifacts Smuggled By International Conspiracy

JAKARTA - The United States government, through the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, has returned three antiques belonging to Indonesia, which were confiscated during an investigation by a gang of illegal antiques dealers.

This return was made live at a repatriation event by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. to the Indonesian Consul General in New York Dr. Arifi Saiman, witnessed by Deputy Special Agent for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Erik Rosenblatt on 21 July.

"Cultural heritage crimes involving the looting and illegal sale of ancient artifacts are an attack on an integral link in the history of a nation to its present and future," District Attorney Vance said.

"I am honored to return these three beautiful pieces back to their rightful owners, the people of Indonesia. I would like to thank my Office Antiques Trading Unit and our partners at the Homeland Security Investigation, for their relentless efforts that have resulted in nearly 400 treasures. who were returned to 11 countries over the past year. I look forward to further repatriations in the near future."

The three returned artifacts consist of statues of Shiva and Phavarti as high as 20 cm, and statues of Ganesha as high as 12 cm. This is part of an investigation into a major case involving Subhash Kapoor's gang.

"On behalf of the Republic of Indonesia, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to the Antiquities Trading Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and Homeland Security for their hard work and dedication in conducting investigations against the perpetrators of crimes to bring justice and the return of cultural artifacts to their home countries. legitimate," said the Indonesian Consul General in New York, Dr. Arifi Saiman.

Over the years, the Manhattan DA Antiquities Trading Unit, along with law enforcement partners at HSI, have investigated Kapoor and his co-conspirators for the illegal looting, export, and sale of ancient art from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, Myanmar and other countries.

"The artifacts returned today are part of Indonesia's rich cultural history. The confiscation of these items and their return to their countries of origin is important because it highlights the ongoing cooperation and efforts taken by our institutions and government to protect cultural history for future generations," he said. HSI New York Special Agent in Charge, Peter C. Fitzhugh

To note, Kapoor and his co-defendants generally smuggle looted antiques into Manhattan, United States and sell them through the Madison Avenue-based gallery, Art of the Past. From 2011 to 2020, the Prosecutor's Office and HSI found more than 2,500 items traded by Kapoor and his network. The total value of the pieces found exceeds 143 million US dollars.