A GERMAN tourist has been caught red-handed stealing archaeological artefacts from a restricted excavation site in Cartagena (Murcia).
Councillor Ana Rama, of the centre-right party Ciudadanos, testified as a witness today after catching the visitor slipping into the Molinete dig yesterday and 'placing several objects' into a freezer box.
She immediately contacted the Local Police, who arrested the holidaymaker and seized the pieces he had taken out of the dig.
The thief confessed and was released with charges, but is likely to have to return to Murcia when his case comes to trial.
Ciudadanos, in light of the unfortunate incident, has urged the socialist-led town council to increase security at the Molinete site.
It is right in the town centre, meaning it is easy to spot and, if nobody is looking, also easy to enter despite this being forbidden.
The artefacts stolen have not been described, although it is likely they were ceramic pieces such as amphorae dating back to the Roman era, since vestiges of this historical period are ubiquitous in Cartagena.
