LOS ANGELES – Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) returned two hand-carved sandstone lintels – structural parts from ninth and tenth century spiritual sanctuaries in Northeastern Thailand – at an official commemoration ceremony held Tuesday at Crozier High-quality Arts. The sacred lintels had been stolen and illegally exported from Thailand greater than 50 years in the past.
The return of the lintels to Thailand marks the end result of a three-year probe by HSI Bangkok, HSI San Francisco, and subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Legal professional for the Northern District of Calif., that resulted within the Metropolis of San Francisco’s forfeiture of the sacred artifacts that had been on exhibit on the metropolis’s Asian Artwork Museum.
“In the present day, with immense honor and respect, we’re reuniting these cultural treasures with their rightful homeowners – the Kingdom and other people of Thailand.” mentioned Tatum King, Particular Agent in Cost for HSI San Francisco. “The theft and trafficking of one other nation’s priceless and irreplaceable nationwide treasures are a worldwide concern that requires shut collaboration between nations. With our world relationships, HSI is dedicated to investigating crimes involving the illicit importation and distribution of cultural property.”
In 2017, HSI obtained info from the federal government of Thailand regarding stolen lintels from two historic Khmer period sanctuaries someday through the late Fifties or early Sixties – that had been on exhibit at San Francisco’s Asian Artwork Museum since its founding. Painstaking investigation revealed suspicious actions associated to the acquisition of the traditional artwork and that the lintels had been the property of the Kingdom of Thailand on the time they had been faraway from their historic constructions. Three years later, the U.S. authorities and town of San Francisco entered right into a settlement settlement through which town conceded to the forfeiture of the artifacts, and, upon completion of the Asian Artwork Museum’s deaccessioning course of, their repatriation residence to Thailand.
“I need to thank the Thai Ambassador, the Thai Consuls Normal, and our associates within the Los Angeles Royal Thai Consulate Normal and within the High-quality Arts Division in Thailand. They’ve all been gracious and offered invaluable help all through our work to return these artifacts to Thailand,” mentioned Appearing U.S. Legal professional Stephanie M. Hinds. “The Thai lintels are lovely representations of Thai historical past and tradition, and we’re happy to have assisted their return to their homeland.”
Regardless of more and more aggressive enforcement efforts to forestall the theft of cultural heritage and different antiquities, the illicit motion of such gadgets throughout worldwide borders continues to problem world regulation enforcement efforts to cut back the trafficking of such property. Trafficking in antiquities is estimated to be a multi-billion-dollar transnational legal enterprise.
“I want the story of the Thai lintels will assist elevate consciousness to forestall elimination of historic, spiritual and cultural treasures from their authentic websites, in native communities,” mentioned Manasvi Srisodapol, Ambassador of Thailand to america.
HSI, by means of its 80 workplaces in 53 international locations, works intently with overseas governments to conduct joint investigations, and is dedicated to pursuing a technique to fight transnational organized crime associated to the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts by focusing on high-priority organizations and strengthening worldwide regulation enforcement partnerships.
Since 2007, HSI has repatriated greater than 15,000 objects to over 40 international locations and establishments. In November 2014, HSI returned greater than 500 artifacts to Thailand, together with pottery, bronze ornaments, and instruments. As lately as April 2021, HSI New York labored with the Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace to return greater than a dozen artifacts to the federal government of Thailand, together with a bronze standing Buddha, circa 14th century CE.
Members of the general public who’ve details about the illicit distribution of cultural property, in addition to the unlawful trafficking of paintings, are urged to name the toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or to finish the online tip form.
HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety, chargeable for investigating transnational crime and threats, particularly these legal organizations that exploit the worldwide infrastructure by means of which worldwide commerce, journey and finance transfer. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 staff consists of greater than 7,100 Particular Brokers assigned to 220 cities all through america, and 80 abroad areas in 53 international locations. HSI’s worldwide presence represents DHS’s largest investigative regulation enforcement presence overseas and one of many largest worldwide footprints in U.S. regulation enforcement.
