Counterfeits at Christie's

Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg sued the auction house Christie's, accusing him of trafficking in forged paintings. In a statement to the High Court in London businessman lawyers argue that the painting of Boris Kustodiev "Odalisque", bought it in 2005 for $ 2, 5 million, turned out to be fake. Company Aurora Fine Arts Investment (AFAI), owned by Vekselberg, requires the auction house to return the money and pay compensation to the billionaire. According to the company, the picture painted by an unknown artist, triggered by Kustodiev. AFAI claims that in 2006 asked Christie's to cancel the deal, but the auction house said that should independently investigate the incident. As a result, the company Vekselberg sent a picture to the auction house in 2009, but no response from Christie's has not yet been received.