Georgia, Tbilisi, April 4 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
The Georgian law enforcement agencies prevented the illegal export of a painting by well-known artist Niko Pirosmani. The painting is called "Kakheti wine," the Georgian Prosecutor's Office reported.
Officers of the Prosecutor's Office and Interior Ministry arrested a criminal gang as they tried to export the painting to Azerbaijan. The painting is valued at $0.5 million
The Prosecutor's Office said a Ukrainian businessman intended to take the picture from Azerbaijan to Russia. The painting's real owner is being identified.
The office said damage may have been done to the canvas. It has been transferred to the Georgian Museum of Arts.