In a significant victory against antiquities trafficking, prosecutors in New York City have announced the return of 30 looted antiquities to Cambodia and Indonesia. Valued at a total of 3 million dollars, these artifacts were illegally acquired and transferred by networks of American antiquities dealers and traffickers.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg revealed that 27 pieces were repatriated to Phnom Penh, while three were returned to Jakarta in recent ceremonies. Among the returned artifacts are a bronze statue of the Hindu deity Shiva, looted from Cambodia, and a stone bas-relief sculpture depicting two royal figures from the Majapahit empire, stolen from Indonesia.

This marks a significant step in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts and underscores the importance of international cooperation in preserving and protecting the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia and Indonesia.