Egyptian officials face negligence charges over painting theft

Poppy Flower

Egypt's general prosecutor stated on Monday he had referred 11 officials from the Culture Ministry to a Cairo court to be charged with negligence that led to the theft of a Van Gogh painting worth an estimated $55 million. The painting, known as "Poppy Flower", was stolen last month from the Egyptian capital's Mahmoud Khalil Museum.

The prosecutor referred the officials to a court in Dokki, the central Cairo neighbourhood where the museum is located, he said, according to Reuters. The court's first session is scheduled for September 14.

An initial investigation of the theft indicated "flagrant shortcomings" in security, state media said.