Iraqi Authorities Arrest 3 Men on Charges of Antiquities

Three men were arrested Saturday on charges that they were trying to traffic stolen antiquities in northern Iraq, authorities said.

The three allegedly stole historical-relevant artifacts that includes a bust of an ancient Sumerian king. They were arrested in an entrapment operation coordinated by Iraqi Army's 12th division. The suspects attempted to sell one of the artifacts to an undercover agent for the price of $160,000, the Associated Press reports. "The duty of Iraqi army is not only to chase the terrorists but also to protect state treasures," Maj. Gen. Abdul Amir al-Zaidi, Iraqi Army's 12th division commander told AP. In all, the three stole eight pieces of artifacts from the Sumerian period, which dates from around 4000 B.C. to 2000 B.C.