According to ILNA, citing the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Gholamreza Zeinali said today, Sunday 25 October 2026, referring to the details of the digging in a residential house in Meqias village, Kaleybar: 'Based on the relevant documentation, the digging was carried out in the corner of a room overlooking the alley, in a residential house on the eastern side of the Bab al-Hawaej Mosque in Meqias (Mehas) village, Kaleybar county.'
The commander of the East Azerbaijan cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts protection unit continued: 'At this spot, the diggers excavated a well with a diameter of approximately one and a half metres and a depth of about 5 metres, and then, by creating a tunnel about 3 metres long, extended the digging route beneath the alley. Inspection of the digging site did not lead to the discovery of historical artefacts, but the available evidence and documentation show that the aim of this act was to discover historical artefacts.'
He added: 'Illegal digs aimed at obtaining historical artefacts and objects, besides violating cultural heritage laws and regulations, can damage archaeological layers and evidence that are important for understanding historical background.'
Colonel Zeinali noted: 'In the report on this violation, it has been proposed that a complaint be filed against the perpetrators of the digging and the equipment used be confiscated, so that the matter is pursued through the legal authorities.'
Source: ILNA
