Investigation on “missing painting” continues

According the reports that had been featured in Armenian press last week, Vicar Patriarch Aram Ateşyan testified as part of the investigation on a painting that was disappeared from Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul.

Armenpress stated that they got this information from Media Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia. According to the report, there will be expertise analysis as part of the investigation. Russia will conduct the analysis underway.

The disappearance of the painting dates back to 2000s. At that time, Patriarch Mutafyan had given the painting, which was made by Aram Khchaturyan in 1903, to an Armenian citizen for making a copy. However, the painting has never returned. After a while, it was reported that the painting was seen in Armenia, but nothing could have been done. Later, after Aram Ateşyan was assigned as the vicar, the patriarchate received information reporting that a painting by Aivazovski is on sale. During a meeting in Armenia, it is revealed that the painting in question is the one that disappeared from the patriarchate. Expertise analysis stated that the painting is one of Aivazovski, but it is revealed that the signature and date on the painting were defaced. It was also reported that the painting is on sale in Russia. Then, Armenian police asked the opinion of Russia.

“I haven’t testified”

Speaking to Agos, Vicar Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said that he hasn’t testified, but filed a complaint two years ago:

“I have just filed a complaint two years ago. They haven’t recalled me. We found the painting, but the other party denied it. They said that the painting is one of Aivazovski and we try to prove that this is not the case. Our Patriarch was ill at that time; so we don’t know who took the painting in the first place. We don’t care if it is made by Aivazovski or not. It belongs to the patriarchate in any case. There is the investigative committee, they have the painting and conduct investigation.”