Phnom Penh (FN), Sep. 13 – The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is delighted to inform the public that an incredible collection of Cambodian cultural artifacts will be returned to Cambodia. This momentous event is the result of years of collaboration between our Cambodian team and the US Government, in support of the recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the US Government and the Royal Government of Cambodia

"The US Government, led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO-SDNY") and Homeland Security Investigations (HS), has reached an agreement with a private collector, the Lindemann Family, relating to 33 Cambodian cultural artifacts. HSI, in cooperation with USAO SDNY, seized the sculptures from the person," according to the press release seen by Fresh News on Wednesday (Sep. 13).

"The artefacts include a reclining Vishnu and Ardhanarishvara, a half male/half female sculpture believed to be from Prasat Krachap temple at the ancient royal city of Koh Ker. According to several witnesses, these statues were removed in the 1990s. This is the same temple where the Shiva and Skanda and Skanda on the Peacock came from. The returned national treasures also include a sculpture thought to be Drsthadyumna (commander in chief of the Pandava Army) from Prasat Chen temple at Koh Ker."

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=FRESH NEWS