A Roman sarcophagus, believed to have been excavated illegally from an archaeological site close to Turkey's Antalya, has been seized by authorities from a Swiss warehouse, a customs official said.

The marble tomb, bearing carvings depicting the 12 labours of Hercules, dates to 2 AD.

It was found by customs officials who were carrying out inventory checks at Geneva's tax-free warehouses, said Jean-Marc Renaud, who heads Switzerland's central customs services, confirming a Swiss television report.

According to Swiss television, Ankara is seeking restitution of the sarcophagus believed to have originated from the Greek-Roman archaeological site of Perge, about 22 kilometres (13.7 miles) from Antalya.

Swiss customs are currently holding the object, and have brought the case to Geneva prosecutors which opened a probe last year.

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