Interpol Listed Dadivank Artifacts as Stolen
The agency added monastery cross-stones and murals to its database following their removal from the site.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Historical
Interpol officially listed Armenian cross-stones and murals from the Dadivank monastery as stolen on October 9, 2025. Member states are now required to facilitate the return of these artifacts to Azerbaijan if they are discovered within their borders.
Why it matters
The listing highlights the ongoing conflict over cultural heritage in the region, as Azerbaijan claims the artifacts while promoting a narrative that links them to Alans or Albanians to distance them from Armenian history.
Interpol maintains the stolen status of these items in its international database for recovery by member states. The records include specific cross-stones and murals removed from the Dadivank site.
The players
Interpol
This is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
Sabina Hajiyeva
She serves as the head of the Azerbaijan State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.
The details
Azerbaijan has initiated restoration work at the Dadivank monastery complex located in the Artsakh region. Sabina Hajiyeva, who heads the Azerbaijan State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, oversees the site's management.
Timeline
Interpol began tracking the items as stolen on October 9, 2025.
Culture Shift
This case follows the enforcement patterns established by the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. It reflects a broader global movement toward documenting and repatriating disputed historical artifacts in post-conflict zones.
The Interpol designation means that auction houses, galleries, and private collectors worldwide face legal risks if they attempt to trade or sell these specific items. It serves as a regulatory signal to the art market that these artifacts are under international monitoring.
The takeaway
The listing underscores the critical role of international databases in protecting cultural heritage from being erased or repurposed during territorial disputes. Collectors and art dealers should consult official theft registers to ensure their acquisitions do not violate international cultural property laws.
Further reading
For more context on how heritage preservation is tracked globally, visit our Historical section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nt.
