The FT tells it all . Clever, those Brits, to send such a subtle message in such an effective way…an elegant form of economic sanctions…

Iran ruling could hamper efforts against black market in antiquities

By Nikki Tait, Law Courts correspondent

Published: March 30 2007 03:00 | Last updated: March 30 2007 03:00

Countries that try to combat the black market for looted antiquities and protect their architectural heritage could be hampered by a High Court judgment yesterday.

In a decision that could have wide ramifications, a judge ruled that the Islamic Republic of Iran was not entitled to recover more than a dozen artefacts dating back to the second and third millennium BC, which had allegedly been excavated illegally and smuggled out of the country.