I noticed this article and thought I’d post it on our site. This is exactly what we were talking about last week. Even though the illegal artifact was purchased for an exorbitant amount, Spain wasn’t required to purchase it back.
“Today’s repatriation is an example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement partners from around the world work together in the effort to ensure that stolen and looted priceless cultural objects like this are returned to their rightful owner,” said ICE director John Morton.
Artifacts dated late 15th-early 16th century
are displayed on September 15, 2011 in
Florence, Italy. A 16th century religious
tapestry stolen from a Spanish cathedral
in 1979 and sold at auction three years
ago for $369,000 was returned to Spain on
Wednesday by the US customs service.