The State Police announced yesterday that two people were arrested after they were caught red-handed with stolen works of art, which they trafficked and sold to foreigners for large sums of money.
According to the police, one of the arrested, identified as Pëllumb Leka, taking advantage of the fact that he was employed near the archaeological parks, sometimes as a guard and sometimes as an assistant, provided statues and icons of different sizes in the cities of Fier, Berat, Gjirokastër, and then, in cooperation with the citizen Emanuel Çaço, they trafficked for profit.
Some of the statues and icons were sold to foreign nationals from Italy, Greece and Montenegro, against values ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 euros.
But all the above conclusions have been rejected by the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Culture, Blendi Gonxhja.
He clarifies the citizens that the arrested persons did not steal the icons in the inventory of the institution under the ministry, DRTK/Parks and Museums. Gonxja believes that the Police's expertise will reveal that it is fake copies or amateur reproductions.
CLARIFICATION: After official communication with the institutions of cultural heritage, DRTK/Parks and Museums, regarding the event made public in the media by the State Police, today, March 30, 2024, on the coded operation "icons", in none of the property funds cultural, in storage or administration, there are no shortages or acts that have affected the inventories or assets in them!
At the same time, none of the names made public by the police, as suspected traffickers of objects seized in flagrante delicto, are part of the staff of the institutions under MEKI!
Therefore, I hope for the understanding of the public for the fact that in the capacity of the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation I have not yet rushed to congratulate, even more so because by doing so I could confirm a news, which even though from the State Police, should to be verified!
Wishing, as seen from the images, that the examination scheduled for Tuesday near the State Police, will reveal that it is fake copies or amateur reproductions, have a
nice weekend!