Three Germans invited as scientific researchers have colluded with a gang of Egyptians to steal ancient artefacts from the world renowned pyramids at Giza.
The men were issued permits to view the insides of the structures which strictly forbade excavation. Egyptian authorities accuse them of leaving with samples of stone from the ramparts of two tombs and from the burial room of King Khufu.
Egyptian archaeologist Monica Hanna said the German researchers wanted to use the samples to prove their hypothesis in a documentary they later filmed, which said that the pyramids were built by a people that pre-dated the ancient Egyptians.
The online documentary, removed in the wake of the controversy, showed one researcher inside the inner chambers of the Khufu pyramid, taking samples from the king’s cartouche.
Prosecutor Hisham Barakat told reporters that arrest warrants have been issued for the researchers, who have returned to Germany. The six Egyptian accomplices have already been arrested and remain in custody. Mr Barakat said Egyptian authorities would communicate with Germany to restore the pieces
