Fifteen of the paintings were deemed by experts to be "cultural valuables" that by law require customs declarations before they can be taken out of the country.
Officials at the Norwegian consulate in Murmansk declined to comment.
(AP)
(RFE/RL) April 6, 2006 -- Russian authorities say they have opened a criminal investigation into Norwegian consular employees accused of trying to take paintings out of the country without proper documentation.
Fifteen of the paintings were deemed by experts to be "cultural valuables" that by law require customs declarations before they can be taken out of the country.
Officials at the Norwegian consulate in Murmansk declined to comment.
(AP)
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