Cypriot icon stolen by RAF pilot in 74 to be returned

[NutLoose]

I bet you do not hear that often.


https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/02/24/icon-stolen-by-raf-pilot-in-1974-returned-to-cyprus/


An 18th century icon of John the Baptist which was stolen by a British Royal Air Force pilot in 1974 is set to be returned to Cyprus.

The son of the pilot – who was serving in Cyprus at the time of the Turkish invasion – reached out to the authorities to facilitate the icon’s safe return, saying that it was “the right thing to do”.

The son, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and made no claims but set the precondition that no one benefit financially from the icon’s repatriation to its rightful owner, in this case the Church of Cyprus.

A statement from the academy on Thursday said that the person in possession of the icon coordinated with Marc-André Renold, a professor of the academy, for the icon’s safe return.

[Old-Duffer]

I note the son 'reached out' , I think that's called 'contacted' where I live!!!

Old Duffer

[trim it out]

Stealing historical artefacts down to officer high jinx again?

[ShyTorque]

It’s only theft if you intend to permanently deprive the rightful owner.

Thieving RAF barstewards, the lot of ‘em. :E

[Wetstart Dryrun]

I paid for Retsina....

Can I get my money back?

[meleagertoo]

Makes one cringe, doesn't it?
At least he didn't do it "going forward" as well!

[Krystal n chips]

We can only hope this does not set a precedent for other holiday memorabilia relocated over the years. ...and that the Cagliari Carabinieri would now like their sign back for example

[oxenos]

I paid for Retsina....
At least the kokinelli was free.

[Herod]

Kokinelli wasn't free; you paid for it in braincells.

[MPN11]

Eastern Radar 'acquired' a lot of USAF memorabilia. The 'game' stopped with the removal of the signed Royal portraits from the Mess Lobby, and the retaliatory acquisition of a USAF Squadron standard from Bentwaters. He made Air Cdre too ... good work, Spot!

[ORAC]

Good god, Spot. That brings back memories - he of the Coltishall beagle pack and the USAF requesting the Coltishall swimming pool be closed and put on standby because a flight carrying a dolphin needed a booked diversion?

Anyway, back to topic - he didn’t steal it - he rassed it….

[BEagle]

It’s only theft if you intend to permanently deprive the rightful owner.

Hmm, the tale of the Incirlik elves springs to mind.....

[NutLoose]

We can only hope this does not set a precedent for other holiday memorabilia relocated over the years. ...and that the Cagliari Carabinieri would now like their sign back for example

Ahhh Cags, and the discussions about sneaking onto a Russian freighter and stealing the Hammer and Sickle flag off the stern, but deciding that a bunch of pissed pilots and engineers caught on a Russian freighter might not have been a good idea.

[MPN11]

Also not a good idea when Spot and I quietly removed the 4-foot Sqn identifier panel from the side of a Crew coach on a 48TFW dispersal at LK with armed guards patrolling. But we were young and foolish then. Indeed, I may still be foolish now.

[Tigger_Too]

Makes one cringe, doesn't it?
At least he didn't do it "going forward" as well!
But it did happen "back in the day"