Metropolitan Museum of Art to Repatriate Stolen Cambodian Sculptures
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will return thirteen stolen Khmer artworks to Cambodia, which were tied to illicit trafficking and a collector named Douglas Latchford. The museum will also return an additional sculpture to Cambodia and two to Thailand, bringing the total to 16 artworks. The museum has been working with Cambodia and the U.S. attorney's office to resolve questions regarding these works of art. However, critics argue that the museum has been slow in identifying and returning potentially looted artworks. Federal prosecutors warn cultural institutions and art world professionals to be vigilant about potentially plundered art and to cooperate in facilitating the return to rightful owners.