Over 150 stolen artefacts recovered from Europe on display in Baghdad

As many as 173 artefacts, stolen by other countries and recently recovered by Iraq, have gone on display in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities in Baghdad on Wednesday, July 31.

According to Press TV, the artefacts were reportedly recovered from the UK and Sweden among other countries and were first displayed in Iraq’s Foreign Ministry before being handed over to the Ministry of Culture.

Head of the Museum of the Ministry of Culture Ali Awaid al-Abadi accused the US of being one of the countries who had stolen the relics.

"Certainly, the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Arts have information that those who broke the doors and assaulted this important cultural place were American occupation forces," he said as most items are believed to have been smuggled out of Iraq during the US invasion of the country.

"There is even a documentary film detailing this very important event. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we call for the return of all the artefacts that were stolen by US forces, because they belong to the Iraqis," he added. 

Among the artefacts recovered are archaeological items dating back to at least 4,000 years ago and to the ancient Sumerian civilization.

ME