Interpol issues notice for Lebanese man suspected of trafficking in looted antiquities

BASSEM MROUE
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese officials say Interpol has issued an international notice for a Lebanese man suspected of trafficking stolen antiquities, weeks after he was questioned in his native country. The Red Notice from Interpol was unsealed 10 months after a criminal court in New York issued an arrest warrant for Georges Lotfi, 82, charging him with criminal possession of stolen property as well as possessing looted artifacts. Lotfi was questioned by Lebanese authorities earlier this year but denied the charges, claiming that he bought the disputed items from archeologists. The officials say Lotfi claims he sold the antiquities to a museum in the U.S.