Collection of rare centuries-old jewelry returns to Cambodia

By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A spectacular collection of centuries-old jewelry has been returned to Cambodia. They are the latest treasures to be retrieved from the estate of antiquities collector and dealer Douglas Latchford, who was accused of buying and selling looted artifacts. Cambodia’s Culture Ministry says 77 pieces of jewelry were returned, including crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings and amulets. Latchford died in 2020 at age 88 in Thailand. U.S prosecutors in 2019 indicted him on charges related to alleged trafficking in stolen and looted Cambodian antiquities. He earlier denied any involvement in smuggling. The jewelry was returned to Cambodia under an agreement with Latchford’s family.