IMPORTANT SEIZED HISTORICAL CUNEIFORM TABLETS, INCLUDING THE TOWER OF BABEL STELE, RETURNED TO LEGAL OWNER

Oslo, 16 September 2022 – Økokrim, the Norwegian agency responsible for policing and prosecuting economic crime, today returned 75 cuneiform tablets seized in September 2021 on false and unevidenced allegations from Iraqi authorities.  The seized items were the subject of a controversial report by the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (KHM), commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, that was legally challenged in July 2022.

The returned objects include the famous and much-exhibited Tower of Babel Stele and dozens of other inscriptions that shed important light on the history of ancient Babylonia and Assyria. They were all published by Andrew R. George: Cuneiform Royal Inscriptions and Related Texts in the Schøyen Collection, Cornell University Studies in Assyriology and Sumerology (CUSAS) 17, Berhesda, MD: CDL Press, 2011.

Representing Dr Martin Schøyen,  Cato Schiøtz of Oslo-based law firm Glittertind said: “From the start, there has been inadequate procedural and evidential documentation behind the request for the seizure. In any case, the Iraqi authorities failed to come to Norway and inspect the tablets within the 6 months window required by the law. The legal basis of the seizure as laid out in the KHM report and the procedures before and after the seizure are highly irregular and suggests that the Norwegian legal legislative system is being abused.”

Dr Schøyen said: “The seizure in September 2021, reported to be the first time the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act section 23c was used, shows how the Ministry of Culture and Økokrim can be manipulated by people who have a political agenda or academic position to maintain.  The return of items that I have legally acquired – and that have been part of celebrated private collections before I acquired them – is a reminder of the role that private collections play in preserving cultural heritage in the face of changeable and often unstable political landscapes across the world.

"I am surprised Iraqi authorities did not show the courtesy of approaching me first, before applying the big guns - police seizure and applications through three Norwegian ministries to act for them - which failed miserably. The Ministry of Culture states bluntly they will no longer act on behalf of Iraq in this case - the case is closed. Such stategies may work in the USA, but not in Norway. Dialogue and negotiations often yield better results for all parties,” added Dr Schøyen.

BACKGROUND:

• Norwegian legislation and UNESCO convention requires burden-of-proof evidence for any items to be seized
• Article 97 of the Norwegian Constitution stipulates that no law can be applied retroactive

Below: Boxes of returned cuneiform tablets