Smugglers target the ancient treasures of Yemen

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

SANAA (AFP) — Yemen is the heir to ancient civilisations including the Biblical land of Sheba, and hardly a month goes by without the authorities foiling yet another attempt to smuggle antiquities out of the country.

The scourge is attributed to factors ranging from the lack of safeguards to officials involved in the illicit trade, and has reached such proportions that President Ali Abdullah Saleh slammed its prevalence in a January speech.

"There are brokers and smugglers who don't appreciate the value of a manuscript or the importance of antiquities. All they care about is making money," he said.

"Antiquities have been smuggled out of the country, particularly to neighbouring countries and European states... They can now be found in museums in Britain and...