Bangladeshi artifacts return from Paris

DHAKA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 42 artifacts of Bangladesh that were sent to the Guimet Museum in Paris for an exhibition were brought back home early Saturday.

Cultural Affairs Adviser of Bangladesh's caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury received the artifacts when a cargo flight of Air France, carrying the artifacts, landed at the Zia International Airport.

Under an agreement between the Bangladeshi Cultural Affairs Ministry and the Guimet Museum, Bangladesh was supposed to send 187 archaeological masterpieces to Guimet Museum for exhibition.

However, the Bangladeshi government requested the Guimet Museum authorities to cancel the exhibition when two masterpiece statues of Hindu goddess Vishnu were stolen from the Zia International Airport en route to Paris on Dec. 21 last year.

A group of Bangladeshi citizens had also raised their voice against sending the artifacts to Paris and filed a case with the High Court that gave verdict against the sending of the artifacts. However, the Supreme Court overruled the High Court orders and cleared the way for the artifacts to Paris for display.

After the stealing incident, Education and Cultural Affairs Advisor of the caretaker government Dr Ayub Quadri had to resign. Bangladesh Ambassador to France Ruhul Amin also died of massive heart attack in Paris on his return from a consultation at the French Foreign Ministry.

Both governments of Bangladesh and France said in separate statements that the artifacts episode would not strain the relations between the two countries.