Two men have appeared in Belfast Magistrates' Court accused of stealing a £95,000 signed piece of Banksy artwork from a gallery in Belfast city centre.
Adil Hajjaj, 49, with an address at Sandymount Street, Belfast, and Ahmed Bouazzi, 39, with an address at Roden Street, Belfast, allegedly took the limited edition print of the street artist's iconic 'Laugh Now' image during a distraction-style raid.
The pair are jointly charged with carrying out the high-value theft from the art dealers at Lanyon Quay on Wednesday afternoon.
"This was a limited edition Banksy print of 'Laugh Now', signed by Banksy and valued at £95,000," a PSNI officer alleged.
Mr Bouazzi, a Tunisian national living in Northern Ireland for 14 years, was granted bail.
Mr Hajjaj faces a further charge of handling stolen goods in connection with a bottle of rum in his possession when arrested.
District Judge Steven Keown refused bail and remanded Mr Hajjaj in custody until 2 May.
