FBI Returns Cultural Artifacts from Papua to Indonesia
- 24 Jul 2026 09:06 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Indonesia has successfully repatriated several cultural artifacts that had been illegally smuggled to the United States through cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the FBI.
- The returned artifacts originate from Papua, including cultural heritage from the Dani, Asmat, and Lake Sentani communities.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has successfully repatriated several cultural artifacts that were previously smuggled illegally to the United States. The return of these historical items was carried out through cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, explained the process of returning the artifacts, saying that President Prabowo Subianto had earlier received an official courtesy visit from FBI Director Kash Patel at the presidential residence.
“He officially brought the cultural artifacts back. These items had previously been smuggled illegally to the United States.” he said on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
He said that the artifacts originate from Papua, specifically the cultural heritage of the Dani and Asmat peoples, as well as communities in the Lake Sentani area. “These are highly valuable objects because this repatriation restores our cultural sovereignty,” he said.
Minister Fadli noted that Indonesia and the US have collaborated on similar returns in the past. The FBI has previously assisted in repatriating several important stolen Indonesian artifacts, including bronze statues.
In addition to the Ministry of Culture, the effort was supported by the State Secretariat and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. “We hope cooperation with the FBI, particularly on repatriation and restitution of cultural objects, will grow even stronger,” he said.
The returned artifacts will be exhibited at the National Museum so the public can both enjoy and study them. This will also help enrich public knowledge of the nation’s historical heritage.
“I believe this is part of efforts to restore our cultural sovereignty and enhance cultural knowledge. Of course we will exhibit these at the National Museum," said Minister Fadli. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)
News Recomendation
Memuat berita terbaru.....