Judicial sources confirmed on Monday that a Yemeni court had begun to try a British national over allegations he had attempted to smuggle several precious artefacts out of the country without obtaining the proper clearance and authorization. Antiquity trafficking is a serious offence in Yemen and officials have warned they would show no complacence in fighting off the trend, stressing such matters ought to be classified as of national security.
With a history which spans over several thousands of years, Yemen holds within its museums a great many numbers of priceless artefacts, notwithstanding the treasures which residents continue to bring in to archaeologist as a result of excavations.
However a breakdown in security in 2011 meant that smugglers and other unsavoury characters decided to take advantage of Yemen’s vulnerability to loot and pillage its history, often using foreign workers and diplomats to ease the precious pieces out of the airport.
Back in 2013 Abdulkarim Al-Barakani, the Deputy Manager of Antiquities and Cultural Properties Protection told the press an estimated 450 antiquities had been smuggled out of Yemen, of which only 60 were retrieved by the authorities.
Raginder Singh Freddy, the Financial Director privately-owned Yemeni oil company as apprehended at Sana’a International Airport earlier this month while in possession of several undeclared valuable antiquities. According to the police report, a small statue and stones with inscriptions on them were found hidden in his belongings.
Freddy who has so far denied any wrongdoing, maintained he had absolutely no idea the relics were valuable antics. He told police he had bought the item in good faith, as souvenirs of his time in Yemen.
But Yemen General Prosecutor is not buying into Freddy’s claim of innocence. He urged the judge to severely punish the British national as to set a clear example.