Belgian tourist facing prison for 'stealing' stones in Turkey

Kim Mergits, a tourist from Antwerp, took three stones from beaches and streets in Turkey as decoration for her aquarium. But Turkey accused her of stealing archaelogical artefacts and she now faces a heavy fine or a prison sentence.

#Turkey #Prison #Stealing

[flinchus]

How dare she!
These rightfully belong in the British Museum.🇬🇧

[daphneraven]

There’s no way she thought that these were just stones.

These are carved items.

[benoregan]

She didn't pick these up on the beach. These are carved stones.

[AdamSmith-srrh]

Taking them from beach part is very likely a lie. Historical artifacts don't just lie around in beaches.

[troyaloft]

These are not stones, people who accuse of Türkiye read the articles again, saying that “stamped with two engraved rosettes” from the archeological site. it is very sad and dissapointing that people accuse of Türkiye for implementing the law for protecting its archeological sites. I saw these idiots’ comments regarding boycotting Turkey instead of accusing her for her theft. These are valuable stones because they are stolen from the archeological site. Obviously so called tourists are lying that they found these stones on the beach.

[chairde]

I’m American and I have to side with Turkey on this one. What’s in Turkey stays in Turkey. Those are clearly carved by the way.

[hasaanyy]

Well, who would've guessed stealing archeological stones has consequences

[profberkayozcan]

Experts have already verified that these stones belong to a historical site. This is theft and should be properly judged. Not just "a mistake". There are signs everywhere warning tourists not to take any artifacts in Antalya airport...

[haktana]

These stones are not "stones" that you can see on the beach and throw in your bag. They can only be found in historical places. It is written all over such places that nothing can be taken. In fact, tourists do it so often that even airports have signs warning against stealing ancient objects. The girl's argument is absurd, if she thought it was an ordinary stone, why take it? Are there no stones left in Belgium? Why would you want to "take" an ordinary stone from Turkey to Belgium? Of course, any sane person would realise that this is not an ordinary stone or the kind of stone you would find on a normal beach. I wonder what's next, stealing stones from Stonehenge and crying "oh, I thought these were ordinary stones" when you get caught?

[alec]

These are clearly not just pebbles from a beach, it has carvings on it.

[Summer]

I was just in Antalya. It’s beautiful & the people are so nice. I don’t believe for a minute she “just found” them 🤦🏻‍♀️

[tiffanysmith]

They don’t look like washed up beach stones … they’ve been carved. This is the entitled world we live in … if it’s not nailed down it’s up for grabs. Potentially something ‘old and precious’ taken/stolen to decorate a middle class aquarium. Well done society. 🌹❤️

[jenniferrobertson]

Crazy how they made it seem like she just picked up pebbles from a public beach when in fact she is a terrible person who thinks she is above respecting historical artifacts and the laws of a host country where she is a guest

[shellyg]

She knew exactly what she had and what she was doing .

[philyip]

Those stones are historical artifacts. They are no ordinary stones, and she knew it.

[planktomplank]

Guys, don't be funny. This is theft of historical artifacts. As in all modern societies, there is a punishment in Turkey. Otherwise, every tourist will throw something into their bag. These penalties also apply to local residents.

[marionfriedenthal]

Two of the stones are floor tiling and I think the carved one is a mosaic. If she lies about where she found them she will go to jail for sure.

[bodhiswayze]

“Just give me a fine already” Sorry Karen, it doesn’t work like that. Welcome to the consequences of your actions…🤷🏻‍♀️

[Naitsirk]

It does quite clearly state that tourists are NOT to take anything home with them!

[briancorr]

A tourist who stole cherished relics in broad daylight is facing punishment for her crime.