Wednesday 05/November/2025 – 07:48 AM
Today, Wednesday, the Cairo Criminal Court is hearing the first session of the trial of 4 unemployed people on charges of illegal digging and excavation for antiquities inside a property in the Matareya area.
Prosecution of an archaeological excavation gang
Information was received by the investigations of the Matareya Police Department, indicating that a number of people were digging and excavating antiquities under a house in the department’s district.
Security forces immediately moved to the location of the report, and upon examination and investigation it was revealed that a property owner had enlisted the help of three others and dug under the house in search of antiquities. After codifying the procedures and obtaining permission from the Public Prosecution, a security force raided the place.
The security forces succeeded in arresting the four defendants, who were in possession of the tools used in the process of digging and excavating for antiquities, which were a wooden ladder, lighting wires, a hook, and an axe. A 2-meter-deep hole was also found.
When they were confronted, they confessed to having committed the crime with the intention of excavating antiquities. The necessary legal measures were taken and they were referred to the Public Prosecution, which initiated the investigation. It ordered the formation of an archaeological committee to inspect the site to determine whether it contained antiquities or not, and the Criminal Investigation Department was tasked with quickly conducting investigations into the incident.
