ISTANBUL 

More than 70 historical artifacts were seized in an operation in Istanbul, a security source said on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off, anti-smuggling teams conducted an operation in an art house on Tuesday in Sisli district of the metropolis, the source said on condition of anonymity.

A suspect was arrested and 78 historical artifacts were seized, the source added.

Some of the artifacts belong to the Byzantine, Ottoman, Seljuk and Safavid eras.

An Ottoman-era stained glass and Iznik and Canakkale ceramics, Seljuk earthenware bowls, a bronze work featuring Quranic verses and a helmet belonging to the Safavid period were among the artifacts.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan in Ankara

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