ELEVEN CULTURE OFFICIALS CHARGED WITH VAN GOGH THEFT

ELEVEN CULTURE OFFICIALS FROM EGYPT'S GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN FORMALLY CHARGED IN LAST MONTH'S THEFT OF A VINCENT VAN GOGH PAINTING FROM A CAIRO MUSEUM THAT HAD NO FUNCTIONING SECURITY ALARMS. THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SAYS HE HAS REFERRED THE ELEVEN CULTURE MINISTRY OFFICIALS TO TRIAL ON CHARGES OF NEGLIGENCE AND HARMING STATE PROPERTY. AMONG THEM IS A DEPUTY MINSTER WHO SAYS HE APPEALED TO HIS BOSS FOR FUNDS TO MAKE SECURITY UPGRADES BEFORE THE 21.AUGUST THEFT BUT RECEIVED LITTLE ASSISTANCE. THE $50 MILLION PAINTING, TITLED 'POPPY FLOWER', WAS STOLEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY FROM THE MAHMOUD KHALIL MUSEUM, WHERE INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT NO ALARMS AND ONLY SEVEN OF 43 SECURITY CAMERAS WERE WORKING. IF CONVICTED THE SUSPECTS COULD FACE THREE YEARS IN PRISON.