Turkey arrests British tourist caught with historic coins

ISTANBUL – Turkey’s official news agency says that a British tourist has been arrested on charges of violating a law protecting cultural artifacts after he was caught with old coins.

Anadolu Agency reported Wednesday that the 52-year-old tourist, identified only as Toby R., was caught with historic coins that he found on the seabed while on vacation in the resort town of Fethiye. He was stopped at Bodrum airport in western Turkey.

The suspect was allegedly trying to take the coins back to England and hadn’t notified authorities of his intention to travel with the artifacts, according to the agency.

It didn’t specify when the British national was detained or give details on the coins’ age. He was later ordered held in custody by a court.

Museum officials were inspecting the coins.