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Sauron · 08-01-2003, 11:58 AM

http://www.bib-arch.org/bswbbreakingarrest.html

Quote:

Latest News: Oded Golan Arrested�Then Released

Israeli antiquities collector Oded Golan, who owns the now-famous bone box inscribed �James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,� was arrested at his Tel Aviv home Monday, July 21, on suspicion of forging ancient artifacts. However, he was released on Friday, July 25th; charges have not yet been filed against him.

According to the Israeli newspaper Ha�aretz and the Associated Press, Golan�s arrest followed extensive searches of his home and storerooms by police, who claimed at a court hearing to have found tools and materials used for creating forgeries, including stencils, stones and even partly completed �artifacts.� Golan will be remanded in police custody until Friday while detectives continue their investigation.

Police believe Golan has made millions of dollars from the sale of forged antiquities on the international market, according to Ha�aretz. Bible-related artifacts that have passed through Golan�s hands in recent years include both the �James ossuary� and the �Jehoash inscription� (a tablet purporting to come from Solomon�s Temple), both of which the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has declared to be forgeries. Golan has denied ever owning the �Jehoash inscription.� According to news reports, police said they found the �James ossuary� in an unsecure bathroom on the roof of Golan�s home; BAR has learned that the ossuary was confiscated by police.

"We knew [Golan] as a collector with one of the most impressive collections of antiquities in Israel,� said Amir Ganor, head of the theft department of the IAA, in an interview with Israel Radio. �We never imagined he would be dealing with forging.�

Golan denies all allegations, according to Ha�aretz, and claims the rooftop workroom where forging equipment was allegedly discovered is in fact used by an Egyptian friend of his who often stays in his home.

�Compiled by BAR staff

Toto · 08-01-2003, 12:18 PM

Golan had been released by the end of this thread. BAR seems to be spinning the story by emphasizing the release. The man is hardly a danger to society at this point. The police may be more interested in rooting out his accomplices.

Clutch · 08-01-2003, 02:18 PM

I do not know the intimate details of the case against Golan. But this repeated emphasis of the "Egyptian friend" has a dodgy feel to it -- not just that it blames someone else, but the potentially racist overtones. Would blaming an Egyptian in Israeli society be likely to succeed in exploiting distrust of Muslims?

Doctor X · 08-01-2003, 04:32 PM

Nice of him to let a friend--whose name he, for some reason, does not seem to remember--use his place . . . with the Ossary in the bathroom. . . .

I have to agree with Clutch . . . this reminds me of "Some Hispanic Guy" in the SouthPark episode claimed to be the "real" killer by OJ, the Ramseys, and Gary Condit!

Cut the guy some slack!! Who here has not left an immeasurably valuable thing in his bathroom . . . and let an unknown "friend" live in his apartment?

--J.D.

Toto · 08-04-2003, 12:51 AM

Relic's owner under cloud of suspicion

Quote:

Police allege he did it not just for the money, but for public exposure.

''He has aspirations in the field of archeology and maybe even religion. He wants to make a name for himself,'' said Yoni Pagis, the Israeli police officer leading the investigation.

. . .

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08-01-2003, 12:18 PM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Golan had been released by the end of this thread. BAR seems to be spinning the story by emphasizing the release. The man is hardly a danger to society at this point. The police may be more interested in rooting out his accomplices.

08-01-2003, 02:18 PM	#3
Clutch Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 3,751	I do not know the intimate details of the case against Golan. But this repeated emphasis of the "Egyptian friend" has a dodgy feel to it -- not just that it blames someone else, but the potentially racist overtones. Would blaming an Egyptian in Israeli society be likely to succeed in exploiting distrust of Muslims?

08-01-2003, 04:32 PM	#4
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	Nice of him to let a friend--whose name he, for some reason, does not seem to remember--use his place . . . with the Ossary in the bathroom. . . . I have to agree with Clutch . . . this reminds me of "Some Hispanic Guy" in the SouthPark episode claimed to be the "real" killer by OJ, the Ramseys, and Gary Condit! Cut the guy some slack!! Who here has not left an immeasurably valuable thing in his bathroom . . . and let an unknown "friend" live in his apartment? --J.D.

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