The requesting Member State may initiate, before the competent court in the requested Member State, proceedings against the possessor or, failing him, the holder, with the aim of securing the return of a cultural object which has been unlawfully removed from its territory.

Proceedings may be brought only where the document initiating them is accompanied by:

1. (a)

   a document describing the object covered by the request and stating that it is a cultural object;

2. (b)

   a declaration by the competent authorities of the requesting Member State that the cultural object has been unlawfully removed from its territory.