The Daily Mail runs an item from AFP about the revelation of a major theft of Francis Bacon works from the Madrid home of a friend of Bacon’s. The theft took place in June of 2015 but is only now being revealed. No explanation has been given for the release of information:

Five paintings by British artist Francis Bacon worth an estimated £23.25m have been stolen from the Madrid home of their owner.

Sources close to the investigation said the theft appeared to have been a highly-professional operation which took place while the owner was away, with the perpetrators disabling the alarm system.

The thieves, who left no trace of their handiwork, had tracked the owner’s movements to ensure he did not return to his apartment to catch them red-handed, they said.

Spanish media quoted sources as saying the artwork, comprising portraits and landscapes, was stolen last June. It was not immediately clear why news of the theft was not made public until now.

Francis Bacon’s £23m art stolen from owner’s home in Madrid (Daily Mail Online)