- The item was stolen about 30 years ago
- Swiss officials handed over “important archaeological asset” to the Egyptian embassy in Switzerland
SWITZERLAND-: Bern – Carine Bachmann, director of the Federal Office of Culture (OFC), handed over “important archaeological asset” to the Egyptian embassy in the Swiss capital Bern, past Monday
The illegaly-obtained fragment, had been confiscated in Geneva as part of criminal proceedings and was restituted to Egypt under Switzerland’s law on the international transfer of cultural property.
The fragment is believed to have been stolen between the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s from the temple of Ramses II at Abydos in Egypt, a press release stated
It had transited through various countries before arriving in Switzerland, where it was finally confiscated by the authorities of the canton of Geneva following criminal proceedings.
The famous Pharaoh Ramesses II ascended the throne at age 25, succeeding his father Seti I. Ramesses II ruled Egypt for approximately 66 years during the 13th century BC, the longest reign in Egyptian history. Ramses II, believed to have fathered over 100 children, was also known as Ramses the Great, overseeing major military conquests and monumental construction projects
“The stone sculpture of pharaoh Ramses II is part of a group of statues where the king sits alongside different Egyptian deities,” the culture ministry said in a statement.
“The fragment was stolen between the late 1980s and early 1990s from the Temple of Ramses II at Abydos in Egypt. It transited through different countries before arriving in Switzerland.”
Both Switzerland and Egypt are parties to the 1970 UNESCO Convention to Prohibit and Prevent the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
SOURCE: EconomicTimes, AfricaNews
IMAGE: AfricanHistory
