It has emerged the three stones a Belgian couple had put in their suitcase before attempting to leave Turkey do have historical or archaeological value. The couple were stopped at the airport, arrested and taken to court. The Flemish daily Het Nieuwsblad and Turkish media have carried a report based on an examination by local experts. The Flemish woman is still detained in Turkey.
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Stones Flemish couple tried to take out of Turkey “have historical value” experts say
Colin Clapson
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"A few beautiful stones for our aquarium". That is how Kim and Warre described the stones the couple had put in their suitcase as they were about to leave Turkey. "One of the stones was the size of my hand, sand-coloured with two little flowers carved into it. We found that one in an alley full of rubbish. The two other stoness, like pieces of marble with a glint in them, we found on the beach. It's full of them" the couple told VRT.
The Turkish authorities at the airport were not smiling when they found the stones: Kim and Warre were arrested and taken to court. The woman is still not allowed to leave the country a good week after the events.
Meanwhile, the Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism has had the stones examined by experts from the Antalya Museum. Their report was made public a few days ago, Turkish media report.
And the experts are adamant: "because of their nature" it was indeed forbidden to take the stones abroad. According to the experts, "the item with two stylised rosettes on it was an architectural decoration piece" and "the two marble items were floor stones".