A 67-year-old woman was arrested in Florina after police discovered she was in possession of four religious icons dating back to the mid-19th century and more than 400 ancient coins, hidden in her family’s ancestral home.

A felony case file has been filed against her for violating laws concerning antiquities and the protection of cultural heritage.

According to police sources, the arrest was carried out by officers of the Florina Crime Investigation and Resolution Department, as part of targeted actions aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage. Acting on specific intelligence, officers conducted a search of the woman’s family home in the town of Florina on April 29, 2025.

During the search, authorities discovered and confiscated:

• Four post-Byzantine religious icons dating from the mid to late 19th century.
• 404 ancient coins from various historical periods including the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Classical, and Ottoman eras, all of which fall under cultural heritage protection laws.
• An additional 179 coins of undetermined age, also subject to antiquities legislation, which were likewise seized.
• Two fossilized fish specimens.

The investigation is ongoing in order to determine how and when the woman came into possession of these items.

All confiscated artifacts have been handed over to the Florina Ephorate of Antiquities for official valuation.

The case is being handled by the Florina Crimes Investigation Department, and the arrested woman is expected to appear before the Prosecutor of the Florina Court of First Instance.