Romania trial over Dutch art theft adjourned for a month

The trial of six Romanians over the spectacular theft of several masterpieces from a Dutch museum was adjourned for a month on Tuesday shortly after it opened. The court president said the trial was postponed to September 10 to allow time for several issues to be examined, including calls for some suspects to be released on bail. Among the paintings stolen and carried away in burlap sacks were Picasso's "Tete d'Arlequin", Monet's "Waterloo Bridge" and "Femme Devant une Fenetre Ouverte, dite La Fiancee" by Paul Gauguin. The total value of the haul, dubbed the "theft of the century" in the Netherlands, was 18 million euros ($24 million) according to prosecutors, while art experts at the time of the heist had claimed the paintings were worth up to 100 million euros. "The theft was carried out according to a meticulous plan," prosecutors say in the indictment. A Romanian art expert said Monday she gave the police crucial information which led to the arrest of three suspects, including Radu Dogaru.