Fourteen Khmer sculptures will be returned to Cambodia and two will be returned to Thailand, the Manhattan museum announced on Friday, though no specific timeline was given. “We appreciate this first step in the right direction,” said a statement issued by Cambodia’s ministry of culture and fine arts. Mr Latchford, who died the following year, had denied any involvement in smuggling. “As demonstrated with today’s announcement, pieces linked to the investigation of Douglas Latchford continue to reveal themselves,” HSI acting special agent in charge Erin Keegan said in a statement on Friday. Another piece of art, made of stone in the seventh century and named Head of Buddha, will also be returned.

Source: The Times December 16, 2023 07:58 UTC