New York's Role in Recovering Stolen Antiquities

(MENAFN) Matthew Bogdanos, a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves and Assistant District Attorney in New York City, heads a team of detectives, agents, and historians who have recovered more than 4,500 antiquities in the United States, valued at around USD300 million. As a prosecutor, Bogdanos's jurisdiction is limited to New York City, but he notes that if an object has passed through New York, his team has jurisdiction, no matter where it is located now. This includes wire transfers made in New York, objects offered for sale, or those shown at an auction. His team's success in recovering stolen antiquities has made New York an important player in the fight against the illicit trade in cultural heritage.

In 2003, while deployed to Iraq, Bogdanos led his troops in tracking down objects looted from Baghdad's Iraq Museum. His success in Iraq led him to continue his work in the United States. Just last Tuesday, a bronze bowl, or krater, over two thousand years old and stolen from a tomb in Macedonia, was repatriated to Greece's culture minister. The bowl was recovered from an Upper East Side apartment in New York, where it had been sitting in someone's home.

Bogdanos's team of civilians works tirelessly to recover stolen antiquities in the United States, with their efforts proving successful time and time again. Their work is vital in preserving cultural heritage and preventing the illicit trade in antiquities. New York's role in this fight cannot be underestimated. With some of the best galleries and museums in the world, New York's position as a cultural hub means that many objects pass through the city, making it a critical location for law enforcement to track down stolen antiquities.

Bogdanos's work in recovering stolen antiquities highlights the importance of protecting cultural heritage and the need for international cooperation to combat the illicit trade in antiquities. The recovery of these objects is not only significant for their monetary value but also for their historical and cultural importance. The work of Bogdanos and his team in New York is an example of how law enforcement can make a difference in preserving cultural heritage, and their success serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to protect and preserve the world's cultural heritage.

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