Matthew Bogdanos: The Manhattan prosecutor fighting stolen antiquities trade

Matthew Bogdanos, a Manhattan assistant district attorney, has dedicated his career to recovering illegally trafficked antiquities after witnessing mass looting in Baghdad in 2003. He leads the Antiquities Trafficking Unit, which has repatriated thousands of artifacts to countries like Italy, Greece, and Egypt. Bogdanos combines legal expertise with military experience, having served as a Marine colonel. His work targets networks that smuggle cultural heritage items, often linked to organized crime. The unit's successes include the return of a 2,500-year-old marble statue to Greece and a golden coffin to Egypt. Bogdanos emphasizes the importance of provenance research and international cooperation. His efforts highlight ongoing challenges in protecting cultural property amid conflict and illicit trade.