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Turkish Police Arrest Man Trying to Sell Gaddafi’s Jewel-Encrusted Ivory Dagger

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Updated: | Originally published: ;

Correction appended, June 15, 2016.

A man attempting to sell a bejeweled ivory dagger that reportedly belonged to late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi has been arrested in Turkey’s most populous city Istanbul, local police said Monday.

The dagger, studded with rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds, was recovered during an antismuggling raid in the city’s western Esenyurt district, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency reported. It is believed to have been stolen from one of Gaddafi’s palaces during the uprising that ultimately led to his death in October 2011.

The suspect — identified only by his initials, AA — was arrested along with two assistants. Police said he had bought the dagger for $4.6 million and intended to sell it to a Saudi businessman for $10 million.

[Anadolu Agency]

Correction: The original version of this story misstated the capital of Turkey as being Istanbul. It is Ankara.

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