Prosecutor: Bulgarian Archaeologists Work for Treasure Hunters

Prosecutor Nikolay Solarov has alleged that “famous Bulgarian archaeologists” are aiding treasure hunters and traffickers in antiques.

Speaking for Bulgarian Darik Radio, Solarov said that “not a few” archaeologists have been intercepted when conversing with antiques traffickers and illegal hunters with police special surveillance devices.

“I think that the archaeology guild has not done enough to help combat this type of criminal activity,” stated the prosecutor.

Recently Bulgarian police busted five individuals on charges of illegally possessing and smuggling antiques.

Canadian authorities in their turn seized 21,000 antique objects with Bulgarian origins that were attempted to be smuggled in.

Thursday prosecutor Solarov said that the objects seized in Canada were received in Bulgaria Wednesday and that an assessment of their worth by Bulgarian experts is outstanding. The Canadian evaluation prices the illegal shipment at over EUR 100,000.

The prosecutor there is at the point no information about the persons who have organized the smuggling attempt.

Speaking in response to Solarov's allegations, the chair of the Bulgarian Archaeological Association Totko Stoyanov said that no guild is protected from having “black sheep” in its ranks, but that such behavior is definitely not tolerated.

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