A couple from Antwerp is currently being held in Turkey for trying to bring three stones back to Belgium from their holiday. One has now been detained on suspicion of smuggling archaeological artefacts.
The couple (Kim and Warre) found three stones during a day trip in Manavgat, a town east of Antalya. The stones were put in their suitcase to bring back to Belgium – but this is against the rules in Turkey. After being stopped at the airport and Kim has now been detained.
"We were singled out at the airport controls," Warre said in a video interview with VRT. "A woman came up to us and asked if we had brought salt or minerals. I said no but did tell her that there were some stones in our suitcase. We often take those with us as decoration for my aquarium."
The couple were taken to the airport police station for questioning before being transferred from the airport to the police station, where they were held for a long time.
Archaeological stones
"The next day, my girlfriend had to go and explain it in court. I don't know why Kim had to do that and not me but she is not allowed to leave the country," Warre said. "She has been charged with smuggling three archaeological stones."
They are currently still in Turkey and still do not quite understand what happened. "One of the stones was the size of my hand, sand-coloured with two flowers carved into it. We found that one in an alley full of rubbish. The other two stones, which look like pieces of marble with a glint in them, we found on the beach. It is full of those."
The couple said that they never considered that the stones could belong to a museum, as the Turkish authorities claim. They didn't even visit a museum during their trip. "We only landed in Antalya, we did not actually visit the city. It's not as if we took a piece of a temple with us; they are just small stones."
But Turkey's Foreign Affairs Ministry maintains that this is forbidden and even explicitly warns against it on its website: "It is strictly forbidden to export antiquities, minerals or objects found locally (stones for example), even if they do not show any cultural-historical value. Heavy sanctions are attached to this."
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However, it seems that few people are aware of the regulation, as many others have had similar experiences. "Some of them had to stay here for four to eight weeks, got a suspended prison sentence of one to five years and a fine around €400 to €600."
Kim is uncertain what will happen. She has to report to the police station every Monday and must find a lawyer.
For now, the couple is staying in a flat in Antalya. By sharing their story, they hope to alert others as well as put pressure on their own trial. "We are especially worried about the financial aspect and the search for a proper, correct lawyer here. We hope our story will be shared a lot and we will get financial help."
