Police seize ancient tapestry in southern Turkey

By Yusuf Koyun

ADANA, Turkey

An ancient tapestry depicting Jesus Christ was seized in Turkey's southern Adana province on Monday, a police source said.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions over speaking to the media, said that the artifact was seized during a raid on a residential address in Seyhan district.

The police found the tapestry hidden in a bedroom closet, and arrested the owner of the house, M.P., his son, H.P. and another suspect, M.A. on suspicion of artifact smuggling.

Before the raid, the police were following the suspects upon a tipoff, and saw them declining to sell an "artifact" for 500,000 Turkish liras (around $143,000), the source added.

During the raid, the police also confiscated a pump-action rifle, two knives, handcuffs and brass knuckles.

The tapestry, measuring 140 cm long (4.5 feet) and 80 cm wide (2.62 feet), will be taken to Adana Museum Directorate.