Louvre theft: suspects claim operation's mastermind believed they could have stolen more
Nearly ten months after the spectacular theft of Napoleonic treasures from the Louvre Museum, statements from two key suspects shed new light on the operation and the alleged mastermind's dissatisfaction with the haul.
Louvre theft: suspects claim operation's mastermind believed they could have stolen more
Nearly ten months after the spectacular burglary of the Napoleonic treasures from the Louvre Museum, the testimonies of two key suspects provide fresh insight into the matter. According to information from The Guardian, the two men told investigators that the operation's organiser was not satisfied with the haul and believed they could have taken more items.
These revelations came from sworn statements made last month to the two examining magistrates handling the case. The incident had sparked international outrage and contributed to the resignation of the Louvre's president.
The two accused, identified by French media as Abdoullagie N. and Gelamalac A., maintain that they did not plan the burglary themselves. According to their account, they were recruited on behalf of a mastermind whose identity they refuse to disclose, citing fear of retaliation against their families.
According to their testimonies, they were recruited only two or three days before the theft. To prepare, they were shown a video filmed inside the Apollon Room, highlighting the display cases containing the Napoleonic jewels.
Abdoullagie N. described the instructions received as very precise: break the display case glass and remove all the jewels inside. In total, eight objects were stolen from the Louvre, notably diadems, a brooch, bracelets and earrings. However, during their escape, one of the most valuable objects was lost: the crown of the Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, adorned with precious stones.
Abdoullagie N. reportedly acknowledged to investigators that the crown fell from his own bag. Upon seeing a photograph of the object, which was severely damaged, he allegedly admitted that "what we did was not correct" and described their act as "very serious".
According to the statements, the rest of the haul was handed over to the man who allegedly organised the operation. However, he was not satisfied with the result, believing that the perpetrators had left behind more valuable objects than they had taken away.
Abdoullagie N., described as a minor former influencer passionate about motorcycles, explained that he agreed to participate because he was in extremely difficult financial circumstances. For his role, he was allegedly promised remuneration of 15,000 to 20,000 euros, with the possibility of receiving more if the resale of the stolen objects proved more lucrative.
The two men also described how they entered the Louvre. According to their account, they climbed onto a first-floor balcony using a furniture lift, forced open a window in the Apollon Room, then began breaking the glass on two display cases.
Abdoullagie N. specified that upon arrival in the room, no one was present, darkness prevailed and only the display cases were lit. From a distance, he could make out a security guard moving behind a door.
The perpetrators knew they had limited time. According to his testimony, they had a maximum of three minutes to gather as many jewels as possible and escape before being detected. He ultimately estimated that he remained in the museum longer than planned.
The two accused stated that they have no idea where the jewels are now. At the same time, they refused to name the man who, according to them, organised the burglary, or any possible accomplices, citing fear of retaliation. Gelamalac A. stated characteristically that "this is not child's play", whilst Abdoullagie N. testified that he received telephone calls while in detention asking him to keep quiet.
According to French newspaper Le Monde, investigators have so far not confirmed that the two suspects were actually acting on behalf of a third party, as they claim.
Source: In.gr