The ruling on one who picks up a lost item in the Haram while ignorant of its ruling, then travels to his country and learns of the ruling

The questioner : If one picks up a lost item in the Haram while ignorant of its ruling, then takes it to his country, and when he learns of the ruling in his country, what does he do?

The Shaykh : He sends it to the responsible authority in Makkah, and it remains a liability on him.

The questioner : And he does not give it in charity.

The Shaykh : No, not if it is possible. May Allah... If the period is long such that he despairs of finding its owner, then here he gives it in charity in Makkah, not in his country, because charity in Makkah is better than charity in his country, and he found it in Makkah, so let the reward of the charity be in Makkah.