merelygifted:

Jean-Luc Martinez is accused of conspiring to hide origin of works taken out of Egypt during Arab spring

…  Martinez, who stepped down as the Louvre’s president last year, serves as an ambassador for international cooperation in the field of heritage. The case threatens to embarrass the French culture ministry and ministry for foreign affairs.

Two French specialists in Egyptian art were also questioned this week but released without charge.

The case was opened in July 2018, two years after the Louvre Abu Dhabi bought a rare pink granite stele depicting the pharaoh Tutankhamun and four other ancient works for €8m (£6.8m).  …

…  Several countries are thought to have been affected by artefacts’ being pillaged, including Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria.  …