Arrest warrant for key official over smuggling charges

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: An arrest warrant has been issued for a general director in the Iraqi Ministry of Culture for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of Iraqi antiquities, the semi-official al-Iraqiya TV channel said on Saturday. The channel did not indicate when the warrant was issued against Aqil al-Mandalawi. Two weeks ago, a spokesperson for the Ministry of State for Tourism and Antiquities, Abdelzahra al-Talqani, told IraqiNews.com news agency that around 15,400 pieces of antiquities have been stolen from the Iraqi museum, of which only 6,000 were restored. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 3,000 to 7,000 pieces are still missing, including 40 to 50 priceless items. SS (P) 1