Omer Yasin Ergin
08 March 2019•Update: 08 March 2019
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey
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 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 is taken under protection.
*Sena Guler contributed to this report from Ankara
