Georgia, Tbilisi, April 19 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
The Georgian Prosecutor General's Office intends to demand the return of Niko Pirosmani's painting "Black Lion" from Russia, Georgian Deputy Chief Prosecutor David Sakvarelidze said.
"We will demand that the painting be returned to Georgia through the Swiss Embassy," he said.
The Georgian law enforcement bodies report that the painting was stolen from the family of Apolon Kutateladze in 1993. Kutateladze was the rector of the Art Academy in the last decade of the 20th century. 'Black Lion' has been included on the international wanted list since 2010.
Acting Head of the Russian Federal Culture Agency Viktor Petrakov confirmed that the painting exhibited at the Russian Antiques Salon in Moscow was indeed stolen, but then legally purchased from the artist's family. He said that they have copies of all of the documents.
The painting was exhibited for three days. After the scandal it was removed and returned to the owner, whose name was not disclosed.