Over 500 Historical Artefacts Missing From Uzbek State Museums
Hundreds of historical artefacts have vanished from two major state museums in Uzbekistan following an ongoing nationwide inventory check of cultural institutions.
The Cultural Heritage Agency confirmed that nearly 500 exhibits are missing from the Kokand State Museum-Reserve and its regional branches, which include the Gafur Gulyam Literature Museum. An additional 16 items could not be located in the archives of the Syrdarya Regional State Museum of History and Culture.
Officials have handed all audit documents over to the prosecutor’s office. Authorities will conduct a legal assessment of the disappearances and pursue charges against individuals responsible for the missing state property.
The nationwide audit of museum archives is being conducted in stages. The inspections follow a recent presidential resolution and a joint directive from the Cabinet of Ministers and the Prosecutor General’s Office designed to enforce the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage.
