00:01Nine artifacts dating from the 2nd to the 7th century are being returned to Uzbekistan after
00:08being recovered by the Metropolitan Police in London. The items were seized in November
00:132025 during an investigation code named Operation Inherent Vice after being illegally exported from
00:21the country. They were presented at the Uzbekistan Embassy in London before the transfer. The
00:27objects include statue heads and fragments of gypsum frescoes linked to periods associated
00:33with the Bactrian and Kusan empires. Obviously the message is historic, is cultural, is a lot to do
00:42with the historical memory of the Uzbek people and might serve as a message for more and more such
00:50artifacts to head back to their home country. The handover took place during an international
00:56cultural event in London linked to the anniversary program marking 690 years since the birth of
01:04Amir Timur. Discussions during the event focused on international cooperation to prevent the illicit
01:10trafficking of cultural property and to strengthen legal frameworks for its protection. The artifacts
01:16will be transferred to the Center of Islamic Civilization, a newly opened museum and research
01:22complex complex in Tuskent. The Center states that the items will be preserved, studied and displayed as
01:29part of its collection.
01:30The current president of the Center states that the people of the United States will be preserved.
01:45Representatives of the Center say efforts to recover additional artifacts will continue through
01:51through cooperation with museums, galleries and auction houses.
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