Istanbul police seize Gaddafi’s dagger

Istanbul police officers seized an ornamental dagger which once belonged to Libya’s former dictator, Muammar Gaddafi.

The ivory dagger – garnished with ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond – was found during an anti-smuggling operation, police said in a statement.   A Turkish businessman and two aides were detained during the operation in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, Anadolu Agency reports.   According to police, the dagger was looted from one of Gaddafi’s palaces during an uprising which started in 2011.   Police also said the Turkish suspect bought the dagger for $4.6 million three months ago and was planning to sell it for $10 million to a Saudi businessman.