New hearing due for Munch theft suspect

Oct 28, 2008, 13:49 GMT

Oslo - Judges on Tuesday ordered a new hearing for one of the men sentenced for his role in the 2004 armed theft of two paintings by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.

Bjorn Hoen, 40, the alleged ringleader of the robbers, was earlier sentenced to nine years. But local media reported Tuesday that he can expect a new hearing next year.

Appeals court judges have been divided over the case. In September they decided to overturn a jury's conviction of Hoen, citing inconclusive evidence.

A state prosecutor appealed to the Supreme Court, which ordered the judges to review the case again. The judges remained divided Tuesday, setting the stage for a new hearing.

Two other men, aged 36 and 32, have been sentenced for their role in the robbery.

The paintings - The Scream and The Madonna - suffered damage during the August 2004 theft. Both suffered punctures and were damaged by moisture when their protective glass layers were smashed.

Details of how police recovered the two masterpieces from an Oslo warehouse in August 2006 have remained sealed.

Munch, who lived from 1863 to 1944, is considered one of Europe's most important expressionist artists. He made several versions of the two recovered works, which have undergone extensive restoration since their recovery.