Greek Police has discovered stolen icons and wood-carved doorposts of archaeological value in a monastery in Attica. The icons were stolen from other monasteries and churches outside the Attica region.
With the assistance of a team of archaeologists and experts in Byzantine studies, officers from the Department Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of the Attica Security Directorate raided the monastery on Wednesday morning.
According to police, the raid was aiming to locate church icons that had been stolen from another monastery in the province in 2012.
From the research carried out in the monastery premises, the 3 icons that were being sought were found in the manor, while 4 icons and wood-carved doorposts identified as having been stolen years ago from Monasteries and Churches were also found.
The value of each icon is reportedly estimated at 40,000 euros.
Icon of st John the Prodromos stolen in Evrytania, wwestern Greece, in 2010.
The confiscated icons and other ecclesiastical objects were transferred to the headquarters of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Eastern Attica as the archaeologists estimated that they fall under the protective provisions of the legislation on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage in general.
The Sub-Directorate for Environmental Protection, Property Rights and Cultural Heritage is continuing the investigation process seeking to find out how the icons and the objects came to the possession of the monastery.
The abbot has testify to police but investigation continues.
*pictures via Greek Police
