Thursday, September 11, 2008 - Page updated at 02:00 PM

Greece: 4 arrested over illicit medieval treasure

Police in northern Greece say they have arrested four people for trying to sell two religious icons and a golden cross dating to the Middle Ages for euro5 million ($7 million).

THESSALONIKI, Greece —

Police in northern Greece say they have arrested four people for trying to sell two religious icons and a golden cross dating to the Middle Ages for euro5 million ($7 million).

The arrests follow a sting operation in which an undercover officer posed as a prospective buyer. Police say the icons - religious paintings on wood - represent Greek Orthodox saints. All three artifacts were confiscated.

Under Greek law, all ancient and medieval artifacts are state property. Their sale by anyone except a small number of licensed traders and collectors is strictly prohibited.

Police said Thursday a large number of other antiquities were confiscated following raids on the suspects' homes in Serres, a town 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Thessaloniki.

The suspects were identified as Greeks aged 56 to 74.

More Nation & World headlines...