KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said four high-value pieces of artwork linked to the misappropriation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds have been repatriated to the country.
The artwork, with an estimated combined value of 198,125 U.S. dollars, is now held at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
All the artwork has been placed in a specially designated location under strict security control and is currently undergoing an environmental stabilization (acclimatization) process to ensure optimal preservation prior to uncrating, authentication and valuation by the National Visual Arts Development Board, it said.
The recovered artwork comprises pieces by renowned artists Joan Miró (Composition - 1953), Maurice Utrillo (Maison de rendez-vous de chasse de Henri IV, Rue St Vincent, Montmartre - 1934), Balthus (Etude pour femme couchée - 1948) and Pablo Picasso (L'Ecuyère et les clowns - 1961).
They are part of 12 pieces of artwork linked to 1MDB worth about 30 million dollars, previously reported to be under the custody of the U.S. Department of Justice and held by international auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's. ■
