Nicosia: The return of antiquities illegally exported from countries such as Iraq and Spain and discovered in Cyprus is currently underway, as revealed by Efthymia Alpha, Senior Archaeological Officer at the Department of Antiquities, to Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
According to Cyprus News Agency, Alpha stated that these repatriations involve coordinated efforts by the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus Police, Interpol Nicosia, the Law Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various embassies, among others. Upon arrival in Cyprus, the antiquities undergo unpacking, recording, digitization, preservation, and storage at the Cyprus Museum, where they are studied and exhibited.
Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis, representing the Archbishopric of Cyprus in the National Committee for Combating the Looting and Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Heritage, informed CNA about the repatriation efforts concerning ecclesiastical objects. He highlighted that in 2024, 13 icons were returned from London, and in April 2025, an icon of Christ was repatriated from Dsseldorf. Efforts are ongoing to reclaim an icon of the Virgin Mary from Slovakia.
Bishop Porphyrios also outlined three methods for achieving repatriation: convincing owners to return objects voluntarily, claiming objects from auction houses when cost-effective, and reporting to Interpol for legal action in cases involving high-value items.
Dr. Ioannis Eliades, Director of the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation, detailed the conservation and digitization process for these repatriated ecclesiastical objects. He noted that the preservation efforts began in 2015 with financial support from the Swiss Government. The museum, which houses these objects, will also play a role during the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, hosting meetings where looted cultural heritage issues will be discussed.