Medieval Koran Stolen in Turkey
Authorities launched an international search Friday for a 15th century Koran stolen from Turkey’s Topkapi Palace, alerting museums, galleries and collectors.
With no sign of forced entry and even more valuable items left behind, some suspected that the theft might have been commissioned by a connoisseur of Islamic art.
Thieves got away with the handwritten Islamic holy book sometime between closing time Wednesday and opening Thursday.
The Koran was removed from a sealed glass case at the palace. A number of old Turkish miniature paintings and calligraphy on display in the same room were not taken.
Police were questioning museum officials. Authorities put out alerts with Interpol and in the art world.
Authorities broadly estimated the holy book’s value at between $5,000 and $50,000.
The Koran is not the most valued item at the palace. Its imperial treasury room houses rubies, emeralds and one of the world’s largest diamonds.
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