AKP Phnom Penh, December 18, 2025 --

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco has formally agreed to return 13 significant Khmer artifacts to Cambodia, said the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in a press release issued this morning. 

This milestone follows the unanimous vote of the Asian Art Commission on Sept. 24, 2025, confirming the restitution of objects removed from Cambodia in violation of national laws, and supported by the findings of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Cambodian researchers, and museum provenance teams, it pointed out.

According to the press release, the full group of returned masterpieces includes statues of deities, stone heads, a lion, and important carved architectural elements. Evidence reviewed by museum officials and investigators confirms that these objects were linked to networks associated with Douglas Latchford and were removed unlawfully during periods of civil war and instability.

H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, welcomed the decision of the Asian Art Museum: "Each of these returned masterpieces is a living fragment of Cambodian identity. Their return represents not only the restoration of cultural memory, but the healing of wounds left by decades of conflict and heritage loss," she said.

The Minister highlighted the importance of sharing provenance information: "The Ministry especially applauds the Asian Art Museum for its full transparency in sharing its provenance research and documentation with Cambodia. This openness has been essential to our ability to uncover the truth about these artworks' histories and to find justice in this case. When institutions share provenance information freely and in good faith, it greatly strengthens our efforts to restore Cambodia's cultural heritage and return sacred objects to the communities to which they belong."

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts extended its sincere appreciation to the Asian Art Museum and its City Attorney's Office, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the Ministry’s teams including archaeologists, researchers, provenance specialists and international partners. The Ministry also extended special thanks to Bradley J. Gordon of Edenbridge Asia and Melina Antoniadis of NOSTOS Strategies, for their crucial role in negotiations and coordination.

By C. Nika