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UPSOT POLICE LEAVING MUSEUM

Russian police confiscate paintings from the museums of Erotica and Power in St. Petersburg. The two museums were later shut down.

Sparking the controversy - some unusual portraits of Russian leaders, including a lingerie-clad President Vladmir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Police also removed other depiction of church and political leaders.

Russia has a law against insulting authorities punishable by up to one year in prison.

Museum director Tatiana Titova said the exhibit was meant to tackle the subject of power - good and bad.

"They sealed the museum without showing any documents which would allow them to do so," she says, "and they took me to the police station at night."

The move comes as world leaders convene in the city for the G20 summit which begins Thursday.

Human rights activists have called on leaders to use the platform to press Putin on his cra