Baghdad The Intelligence Agency announced the arrest of 12 people accused of trafficking in antiquities and the seizure of antiquities in separate areas.

A statement by the Agency stated that the detachments of the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency in the Ministry of Interior were able to arrest 12 people accused of trafficking and smuggling antiquities and seize dozens of antiquities dating back to ancient times in different governorates.

It explained that, based on accurate intelligence information, the intelligence Agency carried out separate qualitative operations to pursue a number of suspects accused of smuggling and trading antiquities in the governorates of (Babylon – Karbala, Diwaniyah – Anbar).

It pointed out that the Agency’s detachments in Al-Diwaniyah province were able to arrest 4 people accused of trafficking and smuggling antiquities, in their possession 68 antiquities, records and documents dating back to ancient times.

In the province of Babylon, he carried out an operation that enabled the arrest of 3 suspects in their possession two antiquities, as well as the arrest of an antiquities trader in Anbar province.

Through luring and setting ambushes, 4 suspects were arrested in Karbala, with 13 valuable antiquities in their possession.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency