Africa

Home page

Africa

Nine people arrested after breaking into national Museum: official

29 January 2011 19:38 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Nine unidentified people were arrested after they broke into the Egyptian National museum and attempted to stole artifacts, Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities head Zahi Hawas said Saturday, APA reports quoting Xinhua News Agency.

Hawas said that the would-be thieves were arrested before they can stole away any artifacts.

But damage were caused as they broke glasses and threw artifacts to the floor, Hawas added.

Earlier, Al Arabiya television channel reported that the Egyptian National museum located in downtown Cairo was robbed by some unknown looters.

The Egyptian military has entered the museum to guard and protect its premises.

Many people have urged the army to protect the artifacts of the museum from looters amid widespread protests.