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Facebook confines to illegal antiques trade during confinement

2020-05-10T06:24:10.677Z


Taking advantage of the vulnerability of certain archaeological sites, looters and traffickers of works of art are taking advantage of the health crisis. A digital black market has thus developed on the social network.


With confinement, the traffickers of works of art seem to have found the right vein. And social networks are an ideal terrain for their illicit trade. An observation established by the Athar project (Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research), which has observed for some time a resurgence of activity in the sale of stolen objects on Facebook. Antiques from the Middle East and North Africa are particularly affected by this black market.

Read also: Terrorism: the difficult fight against trafficking in "blood antiquities"

This team of scientists specializing in digital art trafficking networks has notably noticed an increase in publications on certain private groups in the social network, where traffickers meet. In late April, photos of the looting of a Moroccan mosque were shared among several of these groups. A way to prove the authenticity of the loot, but also to provide advice and tips for future wild excavations.

A source of income during containment

These Facebook groups "are often designed specifically for the purpose of trafficking or carrying out illegal searches , " Athar project co-director Katie Paul told Artnet News . "In many cases, when people post photos of looting, they blur or mask their faces with an emoji so that they cannot be identified."

Deprived of a source of income due to confinement, some workers have turned to the illegal sale of antiques. Favorable weather conditions as well as longer days facilitate looting. Not to mention that archaeological sites, museums and monuments are becoming more vulnerable during this quarantine period. A phenomenon that has already been observed in the past, especially in times of crisis. "The Arab Spring has spawned a new wave of looting across the Middle East, the Greek Museum in Olympia has been looted as the country faces numerous anti-austerity protests, the Kiev History Museum has been looted during clashes between police and protesters, " said Katie Paul.

To read also: Archeology: a pillage which can bring back small fortunes

Athar scientists are particularly monitoring the regions of the Middle East and North Africa, where there is no legal trade in works of art. Many illicit searches are linked to criminal organizations or terrorist groups in conflict zones. And the authorities often find it difficult to end this trade. It is indeed difficult to prevent the sale of goods because the transactions take place quickly and without a purchase agreement or due diligence (the data used to verify the reliability of a seller).

In May 2019, Facebook decided to act by removing 49 groups of traffickers. Insufficient for Athar members, who estimate that 90 groups are still active on the social network. The research project calls for the inclusion and application of the ban on this trade in Facebook community standards and trade policies. While making sure to keep the data linked to the traffickers, who constitute evidence of war crimes in the cases of Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya, specifies Katie Paul.

Read also: Germany, a hub for antique trafficking according to a report

Emergency funding should be allocated to endangered heritage sites, announced the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Zones (ALIPH).

Source: lefigaro

All life articles on 2020-05-10

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