Russia: Annual Revenue of the 'Islamic State' from Antiquities Smuggling Up to $200 Million

The Russian representative to the United Nations stated in a letter to the organization on Wednesday that the 'Islamic State' group earns between $150 to $200 million annually through the illegal trade of antiquities. According to Reuters, Vitaly Churkin, the Russian representative, wrote in his letter: 'The Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq... has control over about 100,000 cultural artifacts of global significance, including 4,500 archaeological sites, nine of which are listed as World Heritage sites.' The letter adds: 'The profit from the illegal trade of these antiquities and ancient treasures is estimated to be around $150 to $200 million per year.' Mr. Churkin stated that the smuggling of these artifacts is carried out by a unit within the 'Islamic State' group called the Antiquities Unit, which is equivalent to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and only those with a permit from this unit can excavate archaeological sites and transfer antiquities. The Russian ambassador to the UN, who has previously accused Turkey of buying oil from the 'Islamic State' group, also stated that most of these antiquities are smuggled through Turkey. He wrote in part of this letter: 'The main center for smuggling cultural heritage artifacts is the city of Gaziantep in Turkey, where stolen items are illegally auctioned and then sold through a network of antique shops and local markets.' Turkey has consistently denied accusations of buying oil from the so-called 'Islamic State' group. Among these accusations, those directed at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his family have been particularly notable. Mr. Erdogan has stated that if Russia can prove these accusations, he will resign from his position. Vitaly Churkin has recently also stated in a letter to the UN Security Council that Turkey is the main supplier of weapons to the 'Islamic State' group.