"The lawsuit marks the first time that the United States has filed an action to forfeit antiquities that are foreign assets of [Daesh]," the release stated,
The lawsuit demands the forfeiture of antique items depicted on photographs featuring Daesh senior operative Abu Sayyaf. He called himself the president of the so-called Ministry of Natural Resources Antiquities Department, the Justice Department noted.
The pictures that show an ancient gold ring, two gold coins, and a carved stone, were found during a raid of the terrorist’s residence near the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor in May 2015, according to the release.
The Justice Department said the FBI is working on recovery of the items.
The Islamic State, also known as Daesh in Arabic, is a terror group outlawed in many countries, including Russia.
