Ex-yakuza arrested for extorting Dali work from businessman

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday announced the arrest of a former upper member of an organized crime group for extorting an art work by Spanish artist Salvador Dali from a 78-year-old real estate executive, reports the Sankei Shimbun (May 22).

In January of 2011, Takashi Takizawa, a 77-year-old former executive of the Yamaguchi-gumi, is alleged to have asked the victim to hand over the piece, an etching from the painting “The Battle of San Romano” worth approximately 10 million yen, while inside a car in Chiyoda Ward.

Takizawa has reportedly denied the allegations, telling police the painting is a fake.

The suspect and the victim became acquainted 30 years ago. The suspect has also extorted a painting by Marc Chagall and a luxury automobile from the victim, who later consulted with the Machida Police Station about severing the relationship with the suspect.