Purported Picasso painting seized in SE Turkey

</p> <p>By Omer Yasin Ergin</p> <p>DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) – Turkish gendarmerie forces on Friday seized a painting attributed to Pablo Picasso in the southeastern Diyarbakir province, according to the provincial governor’s office.</p> <p>Acting on a tip off 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. </p> <p>The suspects were caught on the act by the gendarmerie forces, it added.</p> <p>“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.</p> <p>According to the statement, the canvas bore a faded remark back on it saying “the naked&amp;killer” painting is a work “by Pablo Picasso and presented by us.”</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The statement also said five suspects, including the three trying to sell the painting, were arrested, while the art work is taken under protection.</p> <p> </p> <p>*Sena Guler contributed to this report from Ankara