MOSCOW, January 28 (RAPSI) – A 31-year old suspect in stealing a painting by prominent Russian artist of Greek origin Arkhip Kuindzhi from Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery has been arrested, the official spokesperson of Russia’s Interior Ministry Irina Volk has told RAPSI.

The work “Ai Petri” has been also found and seized from a project under construction in the Moscow Region’s Odintsovo District.

According to preliminary information, the crime has been committed from mercenary motives. In 2018, the suspect was arrested by police on suspicion of drug possession. By the moment of his current arrest, he was under travel restrictions. The suspected thief could face up to 15 years if convicted of stealing the painting.

Kuindzhi painted “Ai Petri. Crimea” depicting a mountain in the Crimea peninsula in 1908. The work was stolen from the Tretyakov Art Gallery on Sunday.