A gang accused of stealing ancient artefacts from a Buddhist temple in southwest China are to face prosecution, according to a newspaper report.
Nine people were arrested in August, accused of taking 27 Song dynasty (960-1279) relics, the Chengdu Economic Daily reported.
Among the items stolen were seven sculpted heads of the Buddha taken from a temple in Moxizhen in Sichuan province, according to the article. Some weigh over half a tonne.
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The heads were sold to a buyer in Chengdu for 30,000 yuan (US $4,500), one suspect was quoted as saying.
More items the police allege the gang stole: Photo: Chengdu Commercial Daily
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The suspects used chemicals to weaken the stone in the sculptures and make it easier to dislodge and move the heads, the report said.
