Six plead not guilty to theft of masterpieces

SIX men pleaded not guilty yesterday as they went on trial over the theft of Edvard Munch's masterpieces The Scream and Madonna, snatched from an Oslo museum 18 months ago.

Five of the men Stian Skjold, Petter Tharaldsen, Bjoern Hoen, Petter Rosenvinge and Morten Hugo Johansen are charged with planning or taking part in the theft. The sixth, Thomas Nataas, is accused of handling stolen goods.

The artworks, painted in 1893, have never been recovered.