Rotterdam: A priceless 18th-century Ethiopian crown is set to be returned from the Netherlands to Addis Ababa after a one-time refugee found it in a suitcase and hid it in his apartment for two decades. Sirak, a former Ethiopian refugee fled the country during the late 1970s during the so-called "Red Terror" purges. For 21 years the crown was hidden in his apartment as Ethiopia continued to be ruled by an iron-fisted one-party government. "It turns out that Sirak Asfaw had been the custodian of a rare 18th-century Ethiopian crown for the past 21 years and wants to give it back," said Brand. "This is Ethiopian cultural heritage, this is Ethiopia's identity and finally it feels good to give it back," said Sirak.

Source: Ethiopian News October 02, 2019 17:31 UTC