UK police return ancient artefacts to Centre of Islamic Civilization after trafficking probe
The artefacts will be housed at the Centre of Islamic Civilization as part of ongoing efforts to trace and recover cultural objects through cooperation with museums and the art market. The handover took place during an international cultural event marking the Amir Temur anniversary programme.
Nine artefacts dating from the second to the seventh century are being returned to Uzbekistan, after being recovered by the Metropolitan Police in London.
The items had been illegally exported and were seized in November 2025, during an investigation codenamed "Operation Inherent Vice".
Before their transfer, the objects were presented at the Uzbekistan embassy in London. They include sculpted heads made of gypsum and terracotta dating back to the 2nd to 5th centuries, associated with the Kushan period and ancient Termez, including Buddhist art centers such as Karatepa, Fayoztepa, and Dalverzintepa.
Fragments of wall paintings from the 7th to 8th centuries are also among the findings, some believed to be linked to Sogdian artistic traditions or earlier monumental schools in southern Uzbekistan.
The investigation involved cooperation between police authorities and scholars from across Europe. According to the Metropolitan Police, the recovery formed part of efforts to address the illicit trafficking of cultural property, an issue that continues to involve cross-border coordination between law enforcement and academic institutions.
Sali Shahsivari, Managing Director of the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London, said the return of the artefacts carries broader significance beyond the objects themselves.
“This has to do with historical memory and may serve as a message for more artefacts to return to their country of origin,” he explained.
A gift to the world
The handover took place during an international cultural event in London, linked to the anniversary programme marking 690 years since the birth of Amir Temur (Tamerlane). The gathering united researchers, cultural institutions and officials with discussions focusing on international cooperation to prevent illicit trafficking and strengthen legal frameworks for the protection of cultural heritage.
Detective Sophie Hayes of the Metropolitan Police told the audience that the finds represented a gift, not just to Uzbekistan, but to the world. She said that detective work has been assisted by domestic and international scholars, and by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with support of WOSCU, the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan.
“We began working to identify their origins and contacted the Uzbekistan Embassy to understand their cultural significance,” said Detective Superintendent Kerry Wood, head of economic crime at the Metropolitan Police.
The Art Loss Register, which specialises in tracking stolen and illegally exported cultural property, also played a role in the recovery. Representatives said the process began after an art dealer raised concerns about the provenance of one of the items, a Timurid-era cenotaph.
“In cases where provenance is unclear, responsible actors in the market sometimes come forward,” said James Ratcliffe, General Counsel and Director of Recoveries at the organisation. “In this instance, the dealer wanted the object to be returned to its country of origin, and we assisted in facilitating that.”
The artefacts are now being transferred to the Centre of Islamic Civilization, a newly opened museum and research complex in the Uzbek capital. According to the Centre, the items will be preserved, studied and displayed as part of its collection.
Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Centre, said the return of cultural objects is being carried out through coordinated efforts involving multiple actors.
“Since 2017, a number of large-scale projects have been implemented in this direction,” he said. “One of the most significant is the establishment of the Center for Islamic Civilization. A dedicated group was tasked with locating and returning cultural heritage taken abroad, and this work continues.”
He added that London remains a key hub for the global art market, making cooperation with galleries and institutions there particularly important.
"The return of these priceless artifacts is not only a victory for New Uzbekistan, but also a testament to the power of international cooperation in preserving the country's historical heritage", he concluded.
Continued efforts to recover cultural property
The case reflects ongoing efforts to identify and recover artefacts that have been removed from their countries of origin.
Experts note that such cases highlight the importance of provenance research and international cooperation in addressing illicit trafficking of cultural property.
“I think you can’t fully develop modern culture without understanding your own heritage,” said Olivia Whitting, Cultural Heritage Lead at the Art Loss Register. “Efforts to trace and return cultural objects are part of building that foundation.”
Representatives of the Centre of Islamic Civilization say cooperation with museums, galleries and auction houses will continue in order to trace additional items.
The Centre has also indicated plans to engage with international art markets, including participation in auctions and institutional partnerships, as part of efforts to locate and return further objects linked to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.
Researchers involved in the process note that the recovered artefacts are associated with different historical periods and contribute to the study of cultural developments in Central Asia over several centuries.
