In a major reversal of fortunes, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced last week that two ancient artifacts will be returned to Libya. 

According to a press release put out this past Friday, the statues are known as the "Marble Face of a Ptolemaic Queen" and the "Female Bust."

Statues valued at $1.6 million

We announced the return of two antiquities valued at $1.26M to the people of Libya. The pieces were looted from the ancient city of Cyrene and smuggled by convicted art trafficker Robin Symes. More here: https://t.co/QKLqx0vrPw

— Alvin Bragg (@ManhattanDA) July 14, 2023

Valued at $1.26 million, the antiquities are believed to have been looted in the 1980s or 1990s from a cemetery in the ancient city of Cyrene.

They were ultimately picked up by convicted British art trafficker Robin Symes, who worked on behalf of various art smuggling networks that cater to wealthy American and European collectors.

Symes acquired the ancient artifacts two decades ago and stashed them in New York as part of his personal collection.

Libyan official expresses "highest appreciation and gratitude"

For his part, Bragg touted the development in a statement, saying, "It is shameful that these beautiful pieces were stored away for decades by a convicted trafficker."

"Cyrene has faced significant looting, but thanks to the work of our Antiquities Trafficking Unit and partners at Homeland Security, we have now returned several pieces from this ancient city back to the people of Libya,"

"We continue to have ongoing investigations into stolen Libyan artifacts and look forward to more repatriation ceremonies in the future,"

Libyan Chargé d’Affaires Khaled Daief also welcomed the objects' return, declaring, "After a thorough investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, we are grateful for the opportunity to repatriate these cultural artifacts."

"We would like to express our highest appreciation and gratitude for the efforts undertaken by the New York District Attorney and his staff, the Department of Homeland Security, and everyone that worked to ensure that these invaluable Libyan artifacts return to their homeland in Libya," Daief added.

Federal agent condemns "pilfering of these two precious artifacts"

Thomas Acocella is a special agent-in-charge for U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and he expressed pride over the development.

"Greed led to the pilfering of these two precious artifacts from the ancient city of Cyrene to be trafficked around the world," he said.

"HSI New York is honored to stand with our partners at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to return these treasured antiquities to the people of Libya," the federal agent declared.