Netherlands to Return Stolen 3,500-Year-Old Sculpture to Egypt After Grand Egyptian Museum Opening

Cairo – Just a day after participating in the grand opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the leader of the Netherlands confirmed that a 3,500-year-old sculpture, discovered at an art fair, will be returned to Egypt. Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that the Netherlands would be returning a bust of a high-ranking official from Pharaoh Thutmose III’s dynasty. The sculpture was found for sale at an art fair in 2022 and seized after Dutch authorities received an anonymous tip regarding its illegal origin. According to a statement from the Dutch government, the trader voluntarily waived ownership of the sculpture following the investigation of its illegal acquisition through looting and unlawful exportation.