Roman-era artefacts seized in south-eastern Turkey

Turkish security forces seized dozens of Roman-era bronze coins as well as a funerary stele, and a statue of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, according to local sources and Anadolu News Agency reports.

A statement by local authorities in the south-eastern province of Gaziantep said that some 45 coins were found on an individual by gendarmerie forces in the district of Bilek.

While the coins were handed over to Gaziantep Museums Directorate, the suspect was detained for suspected smuggling, the statement added.

Additionally, security forces in the western province of Kutahya arrested two suspects while allegedly trying to sell a Roman-era funerary stele and a statue of Jesus Christ.

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Gendarmerie forces in Emet district monitored the suspects after they were found to have carried out illegal excavations and attempted to sell the Roman-era artefacts, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Those artefacts were also handed over to the Kutahya Museums Directorate.