US authorities to seize Roman statue

Image
AP New York
Last Updated : Feb 28 2014 | 8:18 PM IST
US officials plan to seize an ancient Roman sculpture from a New York City storage facility on behalf of Italian officials who say it was looted from Italy decades ago.
Authorities said in a complaint filed in federal court yesterday that the marble statue is believed to be one of the antiquities illegally obtained by Italian art dealer Gianfranco Becchina.
Becchina was convicted in 2011 of trafficking in plundered Roman artifacts.
Authorities say they don't know when the statue of a reclining half-clad female entered the U.S.
The New York Times (http://nyti.Ms/1eF1rHY ) says authorities began tracking it last year after learning it had been exhibited by Phoenix Ancient Art in Manhattan. A Phoenix lawyer says the gallery didn't own it and had exhibited it on behalf of a client.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 28 2014 | 8:18 PM IST

Next Story