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Munch art thieves get more jail time

OSLO, Norway, April 24 (UPI) -- An appeals court Monday in Norway increased the prison sentences for three men convicted in the armed robbery of "Scream" and "Madonna" by Edvard Munch.

The court raised the prison term the lower court initially delivered to Petter Tharaldsen from eight years to 9 1/2 years, Aftenposten reported Tuesday. Tharaldsen is believed to have driven the getaway car.

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Bjorn Hoen, whom prosecutors originally pegged as the organizer of the robbery, saw his sentence increase from seven years to nine. Prosecutors had sought 11 years for him.

Stian Skjold, whom police said they thought was one of two men brandishing weapons and removed the paintings from the walls, was acquitted by the lower court, but sentenced on a minor drug conviction. The appeals court handed him a 5 1/2-year term.

Authorities said they believe the other robber died of a drug overdose before the case went to trial.

The appeals court also ordered the men to pay about $252,200 in damages, which will help pay for repairs.

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