The Azerbaijan State News Agency

WORLD

VAN GOGH THEFT SUSPECTS NABBED IN EGYPT; PAINTING STILL MISSING

22.08.2010 [18:15]
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Baku, August 22 (AZERTAC). Egyptian authorities stopped two people suspected in the theft of a painting by Vincent Van Gogh, nabbing them just moments before they were to board a plane and flee the country, according to Egypt`s official news agency, MENA.

Egyptian Culture Minister Farouq Hosni said in a statement Saturday night that efforts to recover the stolen "Poppy Flowers" painting are still ongoing, despite earlier reports that the painting had been returned to Cairo`s Mohammed Mahmoud Khalil Museum.Hosni said later that those reports were unconfirmed.

Two Italians -- a man and a woman -- suspected of stealing the painting were preparing to board a plane to Italy when they were stopped at Cairo International Airport.

An interior ministry spokesman SAI that the man was arrested.

The painting was stolen earlier Saturday.