Turkish woman claims seized historical artifacts were 'wedding gifts'

Security forces have seized a total of 103 historical artifacts in a house in the eastern province of Bitlis during an operation into an armed conflict case, as one of the suspects claimed the artifacts were given to her as wedding gifts.

Gendarmerie forces raided a house in the Adilcevaz district as a part of an operation into an armed conflict between two families, which killed four and wounded nine on Nov. 2, to search for offensive weapons. Instead they found a total of 103 historical artifacts from the Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman era hidden inside a woolen sack.

The female suspect detained in the operation claimed the historical artifacts were given to her as wedding gifts.

The artifacts, including Ottoman gold coins with the sultan's signature, mini sculptures and janus-headed eagle figures, were later handed over to the Ahlat Museum Directorate.

The investigation into the incident is continuing.

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