PHNOM PENH: The Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Dominic Williams, expressed his pleasure to attend the handover of stolen antiquities back to Cambodia this morning.

Dominic wrote on his Facebook page on 17 March that he was happy to attend the ceremony in which many stolen artifacts were returned to their rightful homeland, including a trove of Angkor crown jewelry which had been in Britain for decades.

"It is a real privilege to be able to see these beautiful objects with such a deep cultural meaning back in Cambodia," he wrote.

On 17 February 2023, 77 pieces of traditional Cambodian jewelry made of gold and precious metals were brought from the United Kingdom to Cambodia by a team led by President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, Hun Many.

Among the reclaimed cultural treasures are important Hindu and Buddhist statues which include Shiva, Skanda sitting atop a peacock, and Ganesh-all of which originate from the 10th century Khmer capital, Koh Ker-a city which was heavily looted during the Khmer Rouge era. The collection also includes ancient jewelry from pre-Angkorian and Angkorian periods.