A Significant Blow was Dealt to the Theft and Trafficking of the Holy Objects of the Orthodox Churches
The Albanian Orthodox Church – November 2013
The Interior Ministry reported through a press announcement on the progress in the fight against illicit trafficking by the Directorate of the Police of the District of Tirana, thanks to well-organized, investigative work that enabled the finalization of the operation “Icons”, wherein a collection of stolen icons and paintings were found and seized.
The brazen citizens arrested were Arben Rahman Spaho, 40 years old, born in Debrovë, Pogradec, and resident in Kamzë of Tirana, who had been previously convicted of theft, and Gjergji Vani Thimo, 43 years old, born in Korça and resident of Tirana, also previously convicted of theft and forgery of official documents.
Their houses and other properties that these people owned were searched and material evidence was seized: 223 icons from churches, of various sizes; six iconostasises, which are suspected to have been stolen for the purpose of trafficking to destinations in the EU. Four preserved wall paintings, suspected to have been taken during the robberies in Voskopoja; gospels with metal covers for church services etc.
After their seizure by the State Police, the works were taken to the Gallery of Arts in Tirana, where they were presented to the media. The delivery was made in the presence of Prime Minister, Mr. Edi Rama, in the presence of the Interior Minister, Mr. Samir Tahiri, and in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Ms. Mirela Kumbaro. The Prime Minister, Mr. Rama, has called this one of the largest anti-trafficking actions, and a battle that has just begun.
He thanked the law enforcement agency and all those who made possible the halting of the infamous trafficking of holy objects stolen from churches; objects which have priceless spiritual value for the culture and for the national identity. Finally an important step has been made in order to stop the ongoing theft and trafficking, with the hope and faith that this is going to be the first step in this direction.
Now, after the identification and restoration, these extraordinary works of faith and of our culture should be returned to the places from where they were stolen, to the Orthodox churches, so that they may serve during the worship of the believers, and as a proof for all throughout Europe who want to know the treasures that our nation has created over the centuries.
