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Turkish police carried out a series of operations across Istanbul this summer, seizing thousands of historical artifacts and detaining 15 suspects accused of trying to smuggle them abroad.
Among the recovered pieces is a rare calligraphy panel written by celebrated Ottoman calligrapher Mehmet Sami Efendi (1837–1912), stolen from a mosque in Istanbul’s Uskudar district in 2005 and listed by Interpol as missing for 20 years.
Authorities said the panel was taken on February 2, 2005, from the Defterdar Tahir Efendi Mosque. Its recovery ends a decadeslong international search.
Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling Crimes Division carried out 11 operations between June and September. Raids took place in six districts: Fatih, Sisli, Esenyurt, Bagcilar, Kadikoy and Besiktas.
Police searched suspects’ homes and workplaces, uncovering a wide range of historical items. The suspects were taken into custody for questioning.
Officials displayed the recovered items to the press. According to police, the artifacts include:
Authorities said the items were prepared for illegal sale abroad.
Police confirmed that, after formal procedures, the recovered artifacts will be handed over to Türkiye’s General Directorate of Foundations, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for preservation and display.
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