Antiquities smuggling ring: Professor caught with a large number of antiquities and his collaboration with a Bulgarian tycoon

The 60-year-old was arrested on the morning of last Wednesday (19/11) by officers of the Sub-Directorate for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Goods of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, as 474 objects, mainly pottery shards, but also some figurines, were identified and confiscated in the arrested man's possession.

After his arrest, the professor claimed that he had previously collaborated with a Bulgarian tycoon for a private collection. The case concerns 69-year-old Vasil Boykov, who, according to the media in his country, is nicknamed “the Skull” and is active in the gambling market, while also owning a large collection of antiquities and works of art.

35 arrests in Bulgaria in a large art trafficking investigation

According to information from media reports in the neighboring country, Boykov was facing charges for various offenses and links to organized crime, while his collection was also confiscated. He has denied the allegations and in 2020 had fled to Dubai. According to Bulgarian media, in 2023 he returned to Bulgaria and was then placed under house arrest.

The major investigation to dismantle the antiquities trafficking ring was preceded by a European Investigation Order (EIO) issued by the Bulgarian prosecution authorities for criminal acts of 14 individuals of Bulgarian nationality related to participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, and illegal trafficking of cultural heritage objects, including antiquities and works of art.

The international operation that began on Wednesday morning (19/11) was coordinated by the competent prosecution authorities and involved police officers from the following countries: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, the United Kingdom and Italy. This extensive operation included searches of homes, vehicles, bank accounts and assets.

The investigations were carried out simultaneously in all countries as there was immediate information and communication between liaisons and technical means (coordination centers).