[MSN] Armed looters with metal detectors have been plundering one of Cambodia's most important temples, the archaeological group Heritage Watch said Monday.

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Armed looters plundering key Cambodian temple: group Mon May 15, 2:59 AM ET
 


PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Armed looters with metal detectors have been plundering
one of Cambodia's most important temples, the archaeological group Heritage
Watch said Monday. 


Looters have been plundering the area around Preah Khan, Cambodia's largest
temple enclosure, trying to remove the few statues remaining in the complex
as well as searching for valuable bronze artefacts, Heritage Watch director
Dougald O'Reilly said in a statement.

The temple, in the northern province of Preah Vihear, is unguarded and
difficult to reach. This makes it an easy target for a growing number of
tomb raiders who have been destroying archaeological sites across the
country's northern provinces.

"This magnificent temple complex stands as an example of what will happen to
Cambodia's heritage if protective action is not taken," O'Reilly said.

"Nearly every carving in Preah Khan has been violently hacked away."

The looters reportedly have the backing of local officials, O'Reilly said.

Large-scale looting of Cambodia's artefacts is continuing despite efforts to
protect its temples and Iron Age burial sites.

O'Reilly estimates that most of Cambodia's pre-Angkorian sites will be
completely destroyed within three years if the plundering continues at its
present pace.

Cambodia's temples are one of its biggest tourist attractions. The famed
Angkor Wat temple complex in northwestern Cambodia is the country's most
popular tourist destination.

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