Seized artworks.
Spanish police seized “numerous works of art” including seven mosaics and a sarcophagus. Image from Policia Nacional Ministerio del Interior.

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Spanish police uncovered “numerous works of art” including seven mosaics and a sarcophagus, during raids carried out in five locations in and around Barcelona.

The police said the works were stolen from archaeological sites in Libya’s eastern coastal re­­gion of Cyrenaica and northern region of Tripolitania. The police believe the two ancient art experts illegally bought works looted by groups linked to the terrorist group Daesh. The men, Spanish nationals both aged 31, run a gallery in Barcelona.

They face charges of membership in a criminal organisation, document falsification, smuggling and financing terrorism, according to Agence France-Presse.

Spanish police said they sought the help of Libyan authorities to verify the authenticity of the works.