Egypt demands return of "stolen" artifacts

A 3,300-year-old limestone and stucco bust of Queen Nefertiti, a wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, has reportedly been requested to return home to Egypt for the first time since 1913.

Sunday, the New York Times reported the statue, that has existed in Berlin since the early 20th century, has demands for its return.

According to the times, "The Egyptian antiquities chief, Zahi Hawass, told the German media over the past few days that Nefertiti belonged to his country."

Officials are convinced the statue left the country illegally, and say they believe she should be returned to her rightful place.

It was the first time that Egypt had made an official request to Germany for the statue to be returned if it was found to have been illegally removed from Egypt.

But this is not an isolated request for illegally accumulated artifacts.

Earlier this month on October 7th, the United Press International also reported Egyptian demands for artifacts reportedly "stolen" by France's famed Louvre museum.

According to UPI, the museum purchased five murals that had been removed from the walls of an Egyptian tomb by antiquities robbers in the 1980s.

It was reported that Louvre officials agreed to return the artifacts a year ago and have not followed through on the request.

But, according to the UPI, until the artifacts are returned, Egypt will not participate in an antiquities exchange program with the Louvre as it does with other countries around the globe.