DHAKA: Italian police have recovered two famous Van Gogh paintings stolen from an Amsterdam museum in 2002, officials say.

The Van Gogh museum in the city said the works were recovered during a “massive, continuing investigation” by Italian prosecutors and organized crime officials.

The paintings were taken when thieves used a ladder to break into the museum.

Italian police said the works were recovered from the Naples mafia, reports the BBC.

They were among assets worth millions of euros seized from the Camorra group, the report said.

The theft of the two works, described as priceless, led to criticism of security at the world's major art museums. Neither work was insured at the time, and both were on loan to the Van Gogh museum from the Dutch government.

The museum said it was so far unclear when the works would be returned to Amsterdam but in a statement it said they appeared to be in “relatively good condition”.

BDST: 1500 HRS, SEP 30, 2016
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