Van Gogh's “Poppy Flowers” stolen from Cairo museum by Milota Sidorova

Curious and embarrasing incident has followed Egyptian Culture Ministry since last weekend.On Saturday one of Van Gogh's paintings of “Poppy flowers” was stolen from Cairo's Mahmoud Khalil museum. Although it wasn't the first theft of the very same painting, curious seems to be a background of the case. One of finest museums collecting European and Middle-East artists from 19th and 20th century was state funded and belonged under the Ministry of Culture, but even in this national organization it was found out security measures were less than miserable – according Egyptian press only 7 of 43 cameras and alarm system weren't working and there were more of &#! 8220;security shortcomings”. The theft of more than $50 million image was like an oil to the fire in highest circles – nine Culture Ministry employees were banned from leaving the country that weekend and suspicious visitors – Italian couple that was arrested by the police the very same day, was released on Sunday. Although Culture Minister Farouq Hosni announced Italians (two of total 10 Saturday museum visitors) were arrested for picture smuggling at Cairo airport, but rejected his own statement short after blaming subordinates for “inaccurate” information.So suspicious tourists were released and anyone possibly relevant in this case was nowhere to find – Mohsen Shaalan, the official claiming the police possesed the picture simply turned off the phone. So far, nobody knows where the picture is or if it was even found. Its economic value however is equall zero, since it is very well known painting and would be easily recognized by polic! e, collectors or smugglers during sales.

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by Milota Sidorova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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