Switzerland’s is known for its pivotal presence in the underground network that moves illicitly excavated artefacts from country to country

Director and curator charged with “incitement of national, racial, or religious enmity”

Sheikh Saud Al-Thani is being investigated for alleged misuse of public funds

Iran has clamped down on illegal trade in antiquities, which has led to archaeological sites being promptly denuded post-discovery

It is the first time that Iranian courts have issued a harsh punishment for the illicit exportation of goods from an archaeological site

Meanwhile, more say ta-ta to the Tate

The Foundation has settled a long-running battle over rights

If an item is not immediately handed over to a “constable”, its owner could be receiving a prison sentence, even if he has legal title to the object

Pierre Valentin suggests that the decisions of expert committees should not be beyond the reach of the law

Art historians go to court in France and the US to reclaim the research they say was stolen from them

In accordance with the president of the Foundation's emphasis on turning over a new leaf, none of the Association's members have been elected to the board

Roland Dumas and Jacques Tajan face accusations of abuse of confidence after evidence suggests proceeds from auction were illicitly retained

Californian law may make restitution harder

Their problems could be blamed on the troubled stock market or an ongoing lawsuit between the directors and the executor of the bequest

Private collector vs State in Spain

A US Federal court has thrown out the case against artist Barbara Kruger for her appropriation of a 1960 photo, and against the Whitney Museum and LA MoCA for selling goods reproducing the offending image

American stockbroker owes in the region of £2 million

Switzerland also debating new national legislation to make the movement of art and artefacts more transparent

The estate was bequeathed to the Giacometti Association as a temporary measure to clear the way for a foundation, although these plans were derailed by Roland Dumas's misconduct

NY District Attorney promises amnesty for those who come forward while corporate executive Samuel Waksal enters a guilty plea for tax evasion

Claim against Agnew’s dismissed though the painting ruled not autograph

The gallery catalogued both works as genuine, though experts made no secret of their ambivalence

No evidence of blackmail, and video shows the artist satisfied with his gallery

The question of what exactly the artist would have wanted is ultimately unanswerable, and therefore liable to cause friction

Archives, boxes of drawings and documents pertaining to court procedures were confiscated by bailiffs, following the freezing of their assets last year

Reflecting the continuous rise in the value of art and importance of provenance

$12 million pay out to the three families

Cristina Ruiz spent a day with the man who controls much of the illicit excavation on the site of ancient Veii, one of the largest Etruscan cities.

This virtuous circle