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| Roman ring handed back to Turkey | Roman ring handed back to Turkey |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An historic Roman ring which was illegally imported into the UK from Turkey has been returned. | An historic Roman ring which was illegally imported into the UK from Turkey has been returned. |
| The iron and silver band, which dates back to between AD 161 and AD 169, is thought to have been taken from an archaeological dig at Ephesus, Turkey. | The iron and silver band, which dates back to between AD 161 and AD 169, is thought to have been taken from an archaeological dig at Ephesus, Turkey. |
| It was eventually seized by HM Revenue and Customs after it was taken to Derby Museum for a valuation. | It was eventually seized by HM Revenue and Customs after it was taken to Derby Museum for a valuation. |
| The ring was handed over to Turkish Embassy officials at East Midlands Airport on Tuesday. | The ring was handed over to Turkish Embassy officials at East Midlands Airport on Tuesday. |
| The find has a gemstone engraving of Lucius Versus - co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius. | The find has a gemstone engraving of Lucius Versus - co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius. |
| It was seized by customs officials after it was taken from Derby to the British Museum. No one has been prosecuted for stealing the ring. | |
| 'Significant problem' | 'Significant problem' |
| Sermin Ozduran, from the Turkish Embassy, who collected the ring on behalf of the Turkish government, said it was "an important piece" of Turkish history. | Sermin Ozduran, from the Turkish Embassy, who collected the ring on behalf of the Turkish government, said it was "an important piece" of Turkish history. |
| John Macmillan, detection manager for HM Revenue & Customs, said: "We are delighted to be able to return this important historical ring to the Turkish Government. | John Macmillan, detection manager for HM Revenue & Customs, said: "We are delighted to be able to return this important historical ring to the Turkish Government. |
| "The international trade in illicit cultural artefacts is a significant problem and increasingly being linked to other forms of organised crime. | "The international trade in illicit cultural artefacts is a significant problem and increasingly being linked to other forms of organised crime. |
| "We will continue to place a high priority to stop those attempting to bring historical artefacts into the UK illegally and restore seized cultural objects to their rightful owners." | "We will continue to place a high priority to stop those attempting to bring historical artefacts into the UK illegally and restore seized cultural objects to their rightful owners." |
| The ring will be sent to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and later be displayed in a museum in the country. | The ring will be sent to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and later be displayed in a museum in the country. |