Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Egyptian Thieves in High Places: Egyptian minister detained over stolen Van Gogh


Deputy culture minister to be investigated on suspicion of 'professional delinquency' over theft from Cairo museum

The Guardian

"Egypt's top prosecutor has ordered the detention of the deputy culture minister in connection with the theft of a Vincent van Gogh painting, state media reports.

Thieves made off with the canvas, known by the titles of Poppy Flowers and Vase With Flowers, on Saturday from the Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Cairo. None of the museum's alarms and only seven of 43 surveillance cameras were working at the time of the robbery.

The prosecutor general yesterday ordered the detention of deputy culture minister Mohsen Shalaan and four of the museum's security guards while they are investigated on suspicion of neglect and professional delinquency, according to the state-run Middle East News Agency......"

No comments: