Four paintings by French artist seized at Istanbul operation
ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency
The authenticity of the paintings, which all have the original signature of the artist, was confirmed by experts. AA Photo
The Istanbul Directorate of Anti-smuggling and Organized Crime has seized four paintings by French painter Lazar Binenbaum worth nearly 5 million euros.The directorate pushed the button for the operation on a notice that the paintings had been put up for sale by a man identified as M.M.S.
As he was transporting the painting for sale on March 4, the operation began.
The car the suspect was driving was stopped in Istanbul’s Gaziosmanpaşa neighborhood. The police found the four paintings in the baggage of the car and the suspect was taken into custody.
It was reported that the paintings, sized 65x85, 50x60, 45x60 and 45x65 centimeters, had been smuggled from Moscow during World War II and finally taken to Istanbul.
The paintings, which have the original signature of the artist, were examined by the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Topkapı Palace officials and their authenticity was confirmed.
