Deputy Mayor of the city of Safed (Israel) Reuven Sadeh and his two accomplices are suspected of stealing artworks from the City Hall and City Museum in the amount of tens of millions of dollars. On this September 22, reported news agency Ynet.

Beginning this case had requested the staff of Tel Aviv branch of the international auction house Sotheby's to confirm the authenticity of a number of works of art, designed Mane Katz Museum in Haifa.

secret police investigated the crime within a year. Painter and sculptor Mane (Immanuel) Katz gave his eight canvases City Museum of Safed. After the museum was closed, the paintings conveyed the mayor's office, which graced the interiors of their buildings. During the investigation police found that in the mayor's office is located only five paintings Katz, and the remaining three disappeared without trace. They suspect that the missing paintings, including the most famous paintings of the artist, «Circus», were stolen between 2005 and 2007 and sold auction Sotheby's. Mane Katz Museum has confirmed the authenticity of the paintings, and informed the leadership of the auction, that the paintings were stolen.

However, the activities of criminals are not confined itself to the theft of paintings by Katz. The investigation also revealed that Sadeh, who owns an art gallery in Safed, was well aware of the value of the paintings, dusty town in the museum - including the products stored there Eugène Delacroix and Edouard Manet.

«This investigation has opened our eyes to the existence and other collections that have been stolen from the museum», - states the Chief of the Anti-Fraud Northern Territory Police, Aaron Galur.

eve Department investigators arrived at the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan and Jerusalem there detained a trader diamonds Tamira Grinberga. When searched he was found among 18 paintings stolen in Safed. During interrogation, Greenberg admitted that he was in collusion with Reuvenom Sad and offered to sell them the painting, but stressed that nothing is known about their origin.

Akko Magistrate's Court today extended the term of Sad custody for two days.

reported that during a search of the house of another suspect in this case, 66-year-old resident of Ra'anana, was discovered five paintings, valued at millions of dollars - including canvases by Manet and Delacroix.

total so far discovered 23 stolen paintings. The police believed that the criminals are not limited to this part of the picture and went abroad. The investigation of the case continues.

Note that Reuven Sadeh serves as deputy mayor for five years and intended to run for city council elections from the party Arcadia Gaidamaka «Zedek Hevrati».

Sad is also the owner of «Jewish galleries», which he inherited from father. In this gallery are works of art, Judaica and jewelry. In addition, the Sad and owns a restaurant, located next door to the gallery, which is known for his charitable acts. Living in the city notes that the restaurant Sad often come for help needy and «none of them went away empty-handed».

The mayor of Safed Ishay Maimon, who provided information about the investigation, has decided not to interfere with the police. He was supported and other high-ranking City Hall officials, who note the great contribution made by Sad in the prosperity of the city.

Source: newsru.co.il