Banksy art works seized in Belgium over lack of insurance

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Art works by street artist Banksy have been seized by Belgian authorities after an exhibitor showing them realised they might not be insured.

Some 58 pieces worth millions of euros had gone on display in an empty supermarket space in Brussels.

The exhibitor told the authorities the works might not be covered in case of damage or theft, their lawyer said.

The move comes amid a rights dispute between Banksy's former agent and a German firm over the works.

The display, Banksy Unauthorised, is said to have been put together without the artist's involvement and was being shown by Belgian exhibitor Strokar.

The works, worth €15m (£12m), were seized late on Thursday and include paintings, photos and silkscreens in a collection put together by Banksy's former agent, Steve Lazarides.

Among the works being shown was a version of the famous image Girl With Balloon.

A German-based firm, On Entertainment, acting as an intermediary, invited Strokar to exhibit the works in the Belgian capital, Strokar's lawyer Stanislas Eskenazi told the AFP news agency.

The firm said it had the rights and permits to show the works, but it was not clear under what conditions those rights were granted or whether the works were insured, he added.

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