Two Fureidis residents indicted for illegal antiquities collection

Two residents of Fureidis, Amir Warkani, 27, and Yosef Warkani, 33, face charges for allegedly engaging in illegal antiquities collection. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) filed an indictment against them in the Hadera Magistrate's Court following an incident on March 9 at the Horvat Hadarim archaeological site.

According to the indictment, the Warkani brothers arrived at the site, a significant location on the Carmel coast documented with remains of ancient settlements, buildings, and mosaics, equipped with metal detectors, shovels, and other tools. They are accused of scanning the ground and digging whenever their detectors signaled the presence of metal, in an attempt to unearth artifacts.

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The two men allegedly scanned the area with metal detectors and, whenever they received a signal indicating the presence of metal, dug into the ground in an attempt to locate archaeological finds.

During their alleged activity, they reportedly found several items. IAA inspector Nir Distelfeld, accompanied by an Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspector and a police officer, apprehended the suspects. Officials discovered 13 ancient bronze coins, three ancient bronze items, two ancient lead items, and 14 unidentified metal objects in their possession. This arrest follows a similar incident a week prior, where two other individuals were caught illegally excavating and damaging artifacts at the Horvat Hermesh site.

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Distelfeld and the other officials found a total of 13 ancient bronze coins, three ancient bronze items, two ancient lead items, and another 14 unidentified metal objects in the suspects' possession.