The Court affirms that Italy is the legitimate owner of the bronze held by the Getty Museum
The Court is a court of the Council of Europe and rules on cases where there are allegations of violations of civil or political rights by member states that have agreed to accept its jurisdiction. Thursday's ruling was handed down by seven judges from different countries.In the ruling the Court found that there had been no violation by Italy.“It couldn't have gone any other way,” said Lorenzo D'Ascia, an Italian government lawyer involved in the case. He noted that the European Court has stated that there is international consensus on the need to protect cultural property from looting. The ruling also confirmed the legitimacy of the confiscation of works obtained illicitly and their return to the country of origin. "It's an important ruling," he said.The relationship b...