Attempt to smuggle historic books, manuscripts failed

CAIRO – 13 May 2018: The Archeological Unit affiliated with the Ministry of Antiquities, in cooperation with the Customs Unit at the Cairo International Airport, thwarted a smuggling attempt of seven parcels containing three historic books, manuscripts and 10 governmental documents to an Arab country.

General Manager of the Archaeological Unit at Cairo airport, Hamdy Hammam, explained that immediately after informing the unit, a committee has been assembled to inspect the books and documents; the documents were confirmed to be archeological and were immediately seized. The ministry of Antiquities should receive the seized books and documents in accordance with the law of the protection of antiquities No. 117/1983 and its amendments.


Manuscript - press photo

Head of the Archeological Unit pointed out that the governmental documents belong to the Department of Lands and Property in a number of governorates in Egypt, such as Menufia and Asyut, among others. These documents date back to 1230 AH -1251 AH. The committee returned the seized items to the police until the ministry gets the approval to receive them so that they can be restored and preserved.


Manuscript - press photo