Proponents of the political explanation will tell you that it is essential to address global imbalances in the fight against terrorism, which is primarily the result of authoritarian regimes confiscating both freedoms and economic resources.
The objects that were confiscated included both the Jehoash tablet and the so-called James ossuary, a stone burial box that is marked with the words "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus"—and is viewed by supporters as evidence of Christianity's founder.
Exactly why the cache, which includes books, administrative documents relating to the Iraqi Jewish community and parchment scrolls, was located at secret police headquarters remains a mystery, although it may include both property confiscated from Iraq's once-thriving Jewish community and information required by the Iraqi government from it.
"They are confiscating documents in both places," he said.
The agents also confiscated my cleanser and toner, both of which were in six-ounce bottles.
According to the friend, Yang Licai, the police detained both men and confiscated Wu's cellphone.
But the book was confiscated by Czech customs, unbeknownst to both men, who each thought the other had failed to honour their agreement.
Both paintings had been confiscated by the Nazis from their prewar Jewish owners, and heirs to those owners were seeking their return as stolen art.
His passports - both Nigerian and US - were confiscated.
In 1988, Goldin went into rehab, clutching her camera and a copy of The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, both of which were immediately confiscated by the staff.
