A 56-year-old man was arrested in Athens on charges related to violations of Greece’s antiquities protection laws, on Monday, June 15, 2026, according to a police statement. The operation was carried out by officers from the Anti-Trafficking and Goods Smuggling Division of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime.
Authorities allege that the suspect imported ancient coins and artifacts from abroad and kept them in his possession. Investigators further claim that he attempted to sell part of the collection through a social media platform, following intelligence provided by the Ministry of Culture and an examination of digital evidence.
During a court-authorized search of his residence in Attica, conducted in the presence of a judicial official, police seized 36 coins, 15 metal buckles, nine rings, and eight arrowheads. Officers also recovered a clay vessel, a clay handle, an artifact depicting a female head, a ceramic container, and a necklace displayed in a frame.
The seized items were examined by a numismatist and an archaeologist, who concluded that 35 of the coins fall under the provisions of Greece’s legislation protecting antiquities. The remaining objects will undergo further assessment and documentation by experts.
The suspect is expected to appear before the competent prosecutorial authorities. The case file includes charges related to the illegal possession and trafficking of antiquities.
