Purported Picasso painting seized in SE Turkey

By Omer Yasin Ergin

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkish gendarmerie forces on Friday seized a painting attributed to Pablo Picasso in the southeastern Diyarbakir province, according to the provincial governor’s office.

Acting on a tip off that three suspects were searching for a buyer to sell a historic painting, Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Diyarbakir launched an anti-smuggling operation in the central Yenisehir district, the office said in a statement.

The suspects were caught on the act by the gendarmerie forces, it added.

“During legal searches on people and their workplaces, a painting of naked man and woman depicted on a papyrus paper was seized,” the office said.

According to the statement, the canvas bore a faded remark back on it saying “the naked&killer” painting is a work “by Pablo Picasso and presented by us.”

The painting carries the seal of the National Museum of Iraq on its back and a signature in the front believed to be Picasso’s.

The statement also said five suspects, including the three trying to sell the painting, were arrested, while the art work is taken under protection.

*Sena Guler contributed to this report from Ankara