Israeli police this week arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of 17 paintings by famous artists.
French tourist Mark Sibon, 53, and Israeli art dealer Muriel Ben Haroush, 48, were arrested with paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Degas and Van Gogh in their possession, officials said.
The two suspects were arrested after they allegedly gave conflicting reports about how they obtained them. Sibon reportedly told authorities he had purchased the paintings in Paris and brought them to Israel to sell.
Meanwhile, experts at the Israel Museum examined the paintings in question, concluding that at least three of them are forgeries.
Paris officials said Sibon had been involved in an armed robbery of an art dealer in February. Local authorities were checking whether the paintings were the ones stolen in Paris.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
