Greece repeats demand for Elgin Marbles return

Greece's embassy in London has repeated the nation's demand that the Elgin Marbles be repatriated from the United Kingdom, saying the case is strengthened by concerns that a leaking roof at the British Museum could be causing damage to the ancient treasures.

Leaks in the museum gallery where the artwork is housed have been a recurring problem and may have been worsened by heavy rainfall in London last month. Now, the wet and damp is a serious threat to the 2,500-year-old sculptures, said embassy officials.

"The leaking roof of the rooms that hold the Greek treasures in the British Museum can only advocate for their return to their homeland," officials told The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"Greece requests the reunification of a unique world heritage monument, which remains a mutilated wonder of the world."

Greece argues that the Acropolis Museum in Athens would be a safer home for the treasures, which once formed half of a 160-meter frieze that adorned the Parthenon monument.

The embassy officials said: "Twelve years ago, the new Acropolis Museum was inaugurated, a museum which for twelve years has received international praise for its exhibitions and services.

"The Acropolis Museum is the most suitable place to host the Parthenon Sculptures in a safe, integral and familiar environment."

George Vardas, a campaigner and former secretary of the International Association for Reunification of Parthenon Sculptures, was quoted by the Telegraph saying that "the British Museum has structural maintenance issues" and that these "threaten to detract from the proper exhibition and protection of these rare sculptures".

The British Museum was reported to have explained that water had entered some galleries where the marbles are held. It said some galleries were closed to visitors, adding that the collections inside these areas were safe.

A statement from the museum said: "The Museum is an historic and listed building and there are ongoing infrastructure assessments across the site.

"We have a team of specialists who make regular checks across the Museum to monitor and ensure appropriate management of risks to the collection."

Greek calls for the return of the treasures have been consistently rejected by the UK.

British diplomat Lord Elgin removed the sculptures from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century while Greece was under Ottoman rule. He later sold them to the British government for 35,000 pounds ($48,000).

In March, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Elgin Marbles would not be returned because they were "legally acquired".

Addressing the long-running cultural row, Johnson said Britain had a "firm and long-standing" position on the sculptures.

"They were acquired legally by Lord Elgin, in line with the laws that were in force at that time," he told Greek newspaper Ta Nea in an interview. "They have been legally owned by the British Museum's trustees since their acquisition."