US returns stolen antiques worth $3 million to Cambodia and Indonesia; Accused smugglers deny charges

WASHINGTON: The United States has returned 30 antiques illegally brought to the country to Cambodia and Indonesia. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that $3 million worth of property was returned to both countries. Media reports that the attorney has already ordered the return of 1,200 artifacts worth $250 million stolen from 25 countries.

A total of 27 artifacts, including a statue known as 'Shivathrayam,' which was stolen from Cambodia, have been returned. The attorney also stated that three antiques, including stone tablets of two royal figures from the Majapahit Empire, believed to have been made between the 13th and 16th centuries were returned to Indonesia.

The attorney accused Indian-born Subhash Kapoor and American-born Nancy Weiner of illegally smuggling the antiques.

Kapoor, who was selling stolen goods from Southeast Asia in a gallery in Manhattan, has been the focus of the US police for a decade. He was arrested in Germany in 2011 and sent back to India and on November 22, the Indian court sentenced him to 13 years in prison. But he denied smuggling the antiques.