Kim Mergits from Belgium was recently on holiday in Turkey with her partner.
During a day trip to the town of Manavgat, she found three stones that she thought were so beautiful that she took them with her.
– We often take stones to have as decoration in my aquarium, says Kim Mergits according to the Brussels Times.
But when she was due to travel home last week, she was stopped at customs when the three stones were found in her luggage. Since then she is not allowed to leave the country.
Warning: Strictly prohibited
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns on its website that it is strictly forbidden to “export antiquities, minerals or objects found (eg stones) even if they do not appear to have any cultural or historical value” from Turkey.
And the stones that Kim Mergits took have “historical or archaeological value” according to experts at the museum in Antalya.
Now she risks prison or a hefty fine.
– We understand that we made a mistake and that we did something that was not legal here. But just give us a fine, we’ll pay it regardless of the amount. We understand that we made a mistake. But I am punished very severely, says Kim Mergits according to Sky News.
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