(7) ecclesiastical icons and wood-carved portals of archaeological value were found within the Holy Monastery in Attica, by the Department of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of the Attica Security Directorate.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, police officers of the above service organized and carried out, following a prosecutor’s order, a targeted investigation in a Monastery of Attica with the assistance of a team of archaeologists specializing in Byzantine studies of the Department of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Properties and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Eastern Attica in order to identify (3) of church icons that had been stolen from another Monastery in the Province in 2012.

From the thorough investigation in the grounds of the Monastery, the (3) sought-after icons were located in the manor and additionally (4) icons and wood-carved steps were found, which were identified as having been stolen years ago from Monasteries and Temples in the province.

The confiscated icons and other ecclesiastical objects were transferred to the headquarters of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Eastern Attica and the competent archaeologists gave an opinion that they fall under the protective provisions of the legislation on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage in general.

The Directorate of Environmental Protection, Property Rights and Cultural Heritage continues the investigation process on the manner of acquisition and possession of the above objects.