Recent court documents have unveiled intriguing details in the case of Egyptian businessman Sabry Nakhnoukh, specifically regarding eleven items deemed archaeological that were discovered within his residence. This discovery occurred during a security operation related to a separate matter, which ultimately led to Nakhnoukh facing criminal charges due to the nature of the items found.
According to the investigations, the search operation was not initially aimed at uncovering archaeological artifacts. Instead, it was executed following a warrant issued by the public prosecution in connection with a case involving the storming of a car exhibition. During this search, security forces stumbled upon a collection of metallic objects within Nakhnoukh's home.
Details of the Discovered Artifacts
The court documents indicate that a total of eleven items were seized, including three metal jugs adorned with Arabic Islamic engravings, three axes embellished with similar decorations, as well as three daggers, a mace, and a sword. During his interrogation, Nakhnoukh acknowledged his ownership of these items but insisted that he did not consider them archaeological artifacts. Instead, he maintained that he had kept them as antiques for approximately seven years.
Nakhnoukh explained that he acquired the collection from a friend and was unaware of the regulations under the Antiquities Protection Law that require individuals to inform the Supreme Council of Antiquities about such holdings. This lack of awareness, he claimed, influenced his decision not to take appropriate steps to register the items in his possession.
Expert Analysis and Legal Consequences
The trajectory of the case took a significant turn when the seized items were presented to a specialist from the Ministry of Antiquities. According to the investigation records, the examination concluded that all eleven pieces qualify as archaeological artifacts. The expert determined that the sword dates back to the Ottoman era, while the remaining items are traced to the late 19th century.
Moreover, it was found that the collection was not recorded in the Supreme Council of Antiquities' registers, and the expert could not assign a financial value to the items. The assessment also noted signs of oxidation on the pieces, suggesting that they may have been previously recovered from the seabed, with indications linking them to the Alexandria region.
The expert testified before the investigative authorities that the nature and archaeological classification of the items do not permit individuals to possess or own them under the legal regulations governing antiquities. Following the completion of the investigations, the public prosecution decided to refer Sabry Nakhnoukh to criminal trial in front of the competent criminal court, based on the charges of possessing archaeological artifacts within his villa.
As reported by eremnews.com.
