Romanians accused of stealing artworks deny burning the paintings and are willing to give them back, their lawyers said on Tuesday in a case dubbed the bonfire of the masterpieces.
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The mother of one of the suspects said last month she had burned at least three of the works the seven stolen paintings are together insured for 18m (£15.4m) in her kitchen stove, but then withdrew her statement. One analysis of the ashes painstakingly raked out from the stove suggested traces of painted canvas, but a lawyer for one of the accused on Tuesday insisted all the pictures are intact.
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The watercolours, including a glowing view of the Thames at Waterloo Bridge by Monet, could have been reduced to ashes beyond identification. Or, just possibly, they could still be wrapped up safely with the others, in the canvas bags, pillow cases or old suitcases described by various witnesses, waiting to be rediscovered.
