Police retrieve rare copper engraving

A rare $500,000 copper engraving which disappeared here was found yesterday by police after an extensive search.

A senior official said the engraving will be held by the Public Prosecutor for further investigation. The Syrian owner, who is abroad, will be summoned by the authorities upon his return.

The official said documents authenticating the engraving show that it dates from the Islamic year 800 (at the beginning of the Ottoman Empire) and that it was very valuable.

The Public Prosecutor is still interrogating the 10 people living in the house where the engraving disappeared and the investigation will continue on Saturday.

The engraving disappeared while it was in the safekeeping of a close friend of its owner. This friend shared his accommodation with nine others.

The owner kept it with his friend while he was in another GCC country. When the friend returned home one day, he discovered the piece was missing. He immediately called police, who arrested the nine people in the house. The engraving portrays Adam and Eve and various prophets and saints.