1.   But antiquities authorities refrained from cracking down on him, even when they caught him red-handed, as when he was nearly buried alive during an illegal dig.

2.   In response, the Culture Ministry promised to combat illegal digs, update alarm systems in tombs, storehouses and museums, and hire more guards.

3.   Last fall, the SBU detained several groups of Crimeans who were conducting illegal digs in the same area.

4.   Last month, SBU detained a group of Crimeans on suspicion of conducting illegal digs in the same region of the Black Sea peninsula.

5.   The illegal dig in Amara, which took place in February, is one of the few cases to end with authorities retaining some of the treasures.

6.   The daily Le Monde quoted a Paris expert in archaeology and African art as saying the particular site it came from was well-known for illegal digs.