The United States (US) Embassy on Wednesday conveyed details of ongoing operations to find missing sculptures being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Art Crime Team.
The Embassy conveyed the plans as Ambassador Robert Godec presented a repatriated sculpture to artist Tim Nicklin whose sculpture was stolen in 2013.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, US Embassy Press liaison Fiona Evans confirmed the report adding that the artefact was found in the US.
"I can confirm that a piece of artwork stolen from Kenya in 2013 was recovered by the FBI Art Crime Team in the United States and repatriated today (Wednesday) to the rightful owners," she confirmed.
[caption caption="Outgoing US Amb. Robert Godec giving back recovered sculpture to Tim Nicklin"]
[/caption]
The official Twitter for the US Embassy: "Thanks to hard work of FBI Baltimore, FBI Philadelphia and the FBI Art Crime Team, we’re delighted to repatriate stunning artwork stolen in Kenya & recovered in the US to the rightful owner! We’re committed to world’s cultural heritage & fighting transnational crime."
The Embassy went on to post four other pieces of artwork that were yet to be recovered.
"A great moment to return a piece of stolen artwork. Four other pieces went missing at the same time in 2013 from Kenya. Do you have any information about this missing piece of art? If so, contact the U.S. Embassy or the FBI Art Crime Team," the Embassy posted on Twitter.
The Art Crime Team functions under the FBI Art Theft Program, located at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC and has successfully recovered 14,850 pieces worth well over Ksh16 Billion.
Art and cultural property crime is an emerging form of international crime that involves the theft, fraud, looting, and trafficking across state and international lines.
In the US it is estimated to cost billions of dollars in losses annually.
Thanks to hard work of @FBIBaltimore, @FBIPhiladelphia, and the @FBI Art Crime Team, we’re delighted to repatriate stunning artwork stolen in Kenya & recovered in US to rightful owner! We’re committed to world’s cultural heritage & fighting transnational crime. @BobGodec 1/5 pic.twitter.com/EhoEzuzm8v
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) April 18, 2018
