Greece will request the return of four allegedly stolen Greek antiquities from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Culture Ministry said Monday.

"Instructions have been given for the immediate launch of the legal process to reclaim the four ancient artifacts," a ministry announcement said.

Greek authorities say the Getty paid $5.2 million in 1993 for the pieces, which include a gold funerary wreath dating from the fourth century B.C.

Ministry officials were not immediately available to provide further details.

U.S. museums' policies of acquiring ancient artifacts have come under scrutiny, after Italian authorities accused the Getty's former curator of antiquities, Marion True, of receiving stolen antiquities from Italy. She is on trial in Rome on charges that she conspired with dealers to traffic in looted antiquities. She has maintained her innocence.

Italy is seeking the return of a sixth century B.C. vase from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.