Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) returned two hand-carved sandstone lintels structural components from 9th and 10th century religious sanctuaries in Northeastern Thailand at an official commemoration ceremony held Tuesday at Crozier Fine Arts. The sacred lintels had been stolen and illegally exported from Thailand more than 50 years ago.
The return of the lentils to Thailand marks the culmination of a three-year probe by HSI Bangkok, HSI San Francisco, and subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Calif., that resulted in the City of San Francisco’s forfeiture of the sacred artifacts that had been on exhibit at the city’s Asian Art Museum.
Stefanie Dazio
Stephanie M. Hinds, acting United States Attorney Northern District of California, speaks during a ceremony to return two stolen hand-carved sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries to the Thai government Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Los Angeles. The 1,500-pound (680-kilogram) antiquities had been stolen and exported from Thailand â a violation of Thai law â a half-century ago, authorities said, and donated to the city of San Francisco. They had been exhibited at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) May 25, 2021 - 5:26 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) â Two stolen hand-carved religious artifacts, sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, were returned to the Thai government on Tuesday in a ceremony more than 50 years overdue.
Two stolen hand-carved religious artifacts, sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, were returned to the Thai government on Tuesday in a.