US nurse arrested in Macedonia awaits verdict in coin-smuggling trial

An Alabama nurse who was on a humanitarian mission in Macedonia is now awaiting a judge's ruling after she was arrested and tried for allegedly stealing rare coins.

Candi Dunlap, of Meridian, Ala., was arrested on Sept. 28 at Macedonia's airport after the coins were found in her carry-on luggage, the Clarion Ledger reported.

Others on the mission trip with Dunlap insisted she was given the coins as a thank you from a Macedonian and that she had no idea they were not to be taken from the country.

In Washington, the State Department said U.S. Embassy officials in Macedonia have been visiting with Dunlap regularly to ensure she is well treated.

Dunlap's husband, Marc, is also in Macedonia trying to secure her release. He has been posting updates on a Facebook page dedicated to her freedom.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/...edonia-awaits-verdict-in-coin-smuggling-trial

The articles do not describe the coins, for some reason.

Edited to add:
One article described the items as "historical coins", that means that they might be ancient coins.

 

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Well, here is the other side's view so to say.
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/22062/2/

"Smuggling priceless antiquities seems to be turning into a sport for American 'tourists' and 'NGO workers' visiting Macedonia. (...) A week later, another American, Mrs. Candi Dunlop was detained attempting to leave Macedonia at Skopje's international airport after customs authorities discovered numerous priceless coins dating back to 1,200 BC. On the black market, such coins may easily fetch millions."

Christian

 

1200 bc hmmm

 

I think anyone trying traveling to and from certain countries should make an effort to thoroughly understand the laws in regards to what items may legally be removed from said borders. Then view the film "Midnight Express", and learn from it.

 

The Macedonian side of the story, news and local television:

Americans frequently caught smuggling antiquities out of Macedonia

Smuggling priceless antiquities seems to be turning into a sport for American 'tourists' and 'NGO workers' visiting Macedonia.

Just last month a US citizen was caught on the Macedonian Serbian border attempting to leave the country with a bag full of priceless figures, coins and other antiquities.

A week later, another American, Mrs. Candi Dunlop was detained attempting to leave Macedonia at Skopje's international airport after customs authorities discovered numerous priceless coins dating back to 1,200 BC.

On the black market, such coins may easily fetch millions.

The two previos Americans quickly confessed their guilt, while Mrs Dunlop maintained the coins were simply a gift from an unnamed Macedonian citizen.

Although Macedonians are famous for their hospitality, there are hardly any Macedonians who give up national treasures worth in the millions as a "gift".

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/22062/2

Macedonia television video of the goods:

The text is in Macedonian (Cyrillic alphabet), a Google translation to English is below.

The coins look like late Roman bronzes, and there are a lot of them.

http://kanal5.com.mk/default.aspx?mId=37&egId=13&eventId=97882

Shvercerka or humanitarian - Candy Danlap wept before judges

Humanitarian or artifacts smuggler? Defense and prosecution told their closing arguments in the case against American Candy Danlap accused last month Macedonian tried out ancient coins and archaeological objects priceless.

The prosecution argued that the nurse Danlap intentionally attempted to smuggle valuables. Was come to the humanitarian mission, and did not have any license or document. A coin has been given by the local population in Stip and the environment as she claimed, but archaeological items came from museums.

Defense again said umislata in this case is not proven, because it did not exist. Danlap coins received as a token of appreciation for her help and mission, and if they knew that valuable had in their hand luggage to transfer the airport.

Her lawyers said Danlap did not know how much wealth brings in his coin purse because some thought that buttons.

The defendant in the courtroom accompanied her relatives and representatives from the U.S. Embassy. She started crying and said that he regretted what he had done, but thought that in America returns with souvenirs from their humanitarian mission.

Candy Danlap 28 last month was arrested Alexander departure from Macedonia, with a bag full of archaeological objects, and some coins came from the second century BC. She is in custody in solitary confinement Skopje and there you wait for the judgment which will be pronounced on Wednesday.

Added screen captures from the Macedonia video:





As to the article, I suspect that the "1200 BC" is either a mistake or a typo.

 

Thanks for the additional info. Well, I won't even try and play a judge here ... Different countries have different regulations regarding "antiquities" that cannot be exported because they are considered heritage. And while many may argue that a differentiated view (like what they do in Israel) would make more sense, people who go to another country - and in this case it was not just for a weekend or so - should familiarize themselves with certain local rules. Hope this can be resolved quickly.

Christian

 

fetch millions?

 

this is what Detecto wants to happen in this country with coins as recent as 1964....

 

According to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, Ms. Dunlap was released from jail.

Meridian nurse practitioner and medical missionary Candi Dunlap gets to come home tonight.

A judge in Skopje, Macedonia ruled early today that Dunlap, accused of trying to smuggle 256 coins out of that country considered historical artifacts by the government, will be released, but that she’s banned from entering Macedonia for 10 years, said Adam Buckalew, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss.

Dunlap also must serve a two-year parole from Macedonia in the United States, Buckalew said. "I don’t know what the stipulations are on that so far as her checking in with the (Macedonian) government," he said.

Buckalew said he got word on Dunlap’s fate at about 8 a.m. today from the diplomatic corps at the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia. Dunlap also must pay a small fine equivalent to about $300 in the United States, Buckalew said.

http://www.clarionledger.com/articl...ian-nurse-leaving-Macedonian-jail-coming-home