Looks like they’re being seized, probably under federal civil asset forfeiture laws, because they were being smuggled into the country by the illegal antiquities market.
… which is still an absurd abuse of power, made clear by treating inanimate objects as persons. Literally lumps of clay.
“Forfeiture” is how cops excuse stealing cash. They can just take it, and make you sue to get it back, because there’s no presumption of innocence. You were not charged with a crime. Your money was. And that’s different, somehow, because go fuck yourself.
Looks like they’re being seized, probably under federal civil asset forfeiture laws, because they were being smuggled into the country by the illegal antiquities market.
Correct.
The British Museum would have been so proud if they had gotten away with it.
… which is still an absurd abuse of power, made clear by treating inanimate objects as persons. Literally lumps of clay.
“Forfeiture” is how cops excuse stealing cash. They can just take it, and make you sue to get it back, because there’s no presumption of innocence. You were not charged with a crime. Your money was. And that’s different, somehow, because go fuck yourself.