Italy: Ex-Getty curator's trial collapses

A judge in Rome has declared an end to the trial of a former antiquities curator at the J Paul Getty Museum, who is accused of knowingly acquiring looted art from Italy, citing the expiry of the statute of limitations.

The six-year-old case against Marion True drew attention to Italy's campaign to recover its treasures and was followed with concern by museums worldwide. It involved about 35 artifacts acquired by the Los Angeles museum between 1986 and the late 1990s, including Etruscan pieces and painted Greek vessels.

The trial began in 2004 against Ms True and a US art dealer, Robert Hecht. Mr Hecht's lawyer said the trial will continue against his client on charges that he headed an antiquities trafficking operation. Mr Hecht denies the charges.