Surrender the Booty: Spain Sues over Sunken Treasure | NowPublic News Coverage

Surrender the Booty: Spain Sues over Sunken Treasure

by jordan | May 30, 2007 at 11:47 am

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Spain claims that, should the sunken vessel found by Odyssey Marine Exploration prove to be Spanish in origin, then the treasure that went down with it rightfully belongs to Spain. Odyssey maintains that the ship was found in international waters, and that they have the right of salvage.

Spain has launched legal action against US marine explorers over a wreck they have found laden with treasure.

The wreck has been described, speculatively, as a 17th Century vessel, found off the coast of England, containing $500m (£253m) in coins.

However, there have also been rumours that it was found off Spain. Odyssey Marine Exploration would only say it was found in the Atlantic Ocean.

A lawyer said if the vessel was Spanish any treasure would belong to Spain.

Jim Goold, of the law firm Covington & Burling, representing the Spanish government, told the BBC: "The lawsuit will challenge Odyssey Marine Explorers' right to recover or possess any property of the Kingdom of Spain recovered from sunken ships.

"Odyssey has been requested to provide information concerning the identity of the ship and the material recovered, and has failed to respond."

Odyssey has been requested to provide information concerning the identity of the ship and the material recovered

Lawyer Jim Goold