ATHENS: Authorities in Greece have arrested six people on the island of Crete in connection with an alleged antiquities smuggling ring that was attempting to sell dozens of ancient artifacts, police said Thursday.
The arrests came after a sting operation on Wednesday, during which the suspects were reportedly trying to sell a collection of antiquities. Investigators say the group operated as a coordinated criminal network, with clearly defined roles, including a leader, go-betweens, and a designated transporter.
Among the recovered items were 15 ancient oil lamps, 17 figurines or fragments, several ceramic vessels, and a marble sculpture believed to depict a child’s head. All are thought to date from various periods of ancient Greek history and will be assessed by a state archaeological service.
Police also confiscated metal detectors and scanning equipment believed to have been used to locate buried relics, as well as firearms, ammunition, quantities of cannabis, and more than 3,000 euros ($3,200) in cash.
Greece, known for its rich archaeological heritage, has long battled the illicit trade in antiquities. Despite strict national laws, such artifacts remain highly sought-after on the international black market.
All six suspects are facing multiple charges, including membership in a criminal organization and breaches of cultural heritage protection legislation.
Dozens of ancient artifacts seized in Greek island smuggling raid
https://arab.news/b89rr
Dozens of ancient artifacts seized in Greek island smuggling raid
- Among the recovered items were 15 ancient oil lamps, 17 figurines or fragments
- Police also confiscated metal detectors and scanning equipment believed to have been used to locate buried relics
Incoming: The biggest TV shows coming your way before summer 2026
- From the return of an iconic comedy to the end of TV’s most twisted superhero saga, here are the series you need to see
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
Starring: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Finn Bennett
HBO may be taking its George R.R. Martin tribute a little too far with the delayed release of their latest venture into the “Game of Thrones” universe, based on Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas.The show follows hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his young squire Aegon Targaryen (Egg) — who will grow up to become King Aegon V — on their adventures across Westeros. It’s finally set to drop Jan. 11. The reception for HBO’s other “GoT” spinoff, “House of the Dragon,” the third season of which is due this summer, has been lukewarm. Can “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” recapture the old magic?
‘The Pitt’
Starring: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball
The winner of 2025’s Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series returns (along with its Emmy-winning regular cast members — Wyle and Katherine LaNasa) Jan. 8 for another glimpse into the lives of the staff at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, led by attending physician Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch. The tense, claustrophobic first season covered a single 15-hour shift in real time. This second outing will do the same, set on Independence Day nearly 10 months after the events of season one, on the first day back at work after attending rehab for Robinavitch’s right-hand man, senior resident Dr. Langdon (Ball).
‘The Night Manager’
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie
Nearly a decade on from its acclaimed first season, this spy thriller — inspired by the work of John Le Carré — sees Hiddleston returning as Jonathan Pine; although he’s now living as Alex Goodwin, a low-level MI6 officer, in London. But when that new identity is threatened by a face from the past, he’s plunged into a twisty plot involving arms deals, guerillas, and a new nemesis, Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva). Due out on Amazon Prime on Jan. 11.
‘Industry’
Starring: Myha’la Herrold, Marisa Abela, Kit Harrington
The ‘special relationship’ between the US and the UK may be cooling, but this HBO/BBC joint production, at least, is thriving. Season four of the high-stakes finance drama, which debuts Jan. 11, sees a new fintech executive, Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella, best known as Nick in “The Handmaid’s Tale”) shaking up London, while the employees of investment bank Pierpoint & Co continue to navigate their chaotic personal and professional lives. Charlie Heaton, fresh from “Stranger Things,” also joins the cast as financial journalist Jim Dycker.
‘Scrubs’
Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke
February sees the return of Bill Lawrence’s much-loved medical sitcom, with many of the original cast members returning, at least for cameos, and the three main characters — Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian (Braff), surgeon Chris Turk (Faison), and Dr. Elliot Reid (Chalke) — taking center stage once again, 16 years after the season nine finale. This time around, they’ll be the ones teaching the interns how to do their jobs, attempting to emulate their mentor Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley), who’s still knocking around Sacred Heart hospital.
