On Wednesday afternoon, the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands, introduced the arrest of three suspects in North Holland after the theft of 4 gold artifacts that have been on mortgage from the Nationwide Historical past Museum of Romania.
The 4 gadgets included three gold bracelets from 50 BCE and a Coțofenești helmet from 450 BCE. The objects have been stolen from the Drents Museum’s exhibit “Dacia – Empire of Gold and Silver” throughout in the course of the night time on January 24.
Dutch police obtained a report of an explosion at roughly 3:45 a.m. When the officers arrived on the museum, “it turned clear that burglars had gained entry to the constructing by forcing a door with explosives.”
RTV Drenthe reported that it had translated paperwork exhibiting the worth of the stolen helmet was €4.3 million and that the three stolen bracelets every had an estimated worth of €500,000.
Dutch police launched photographs of one of many suspects on January 29. The Drents Museum was additionally closed till January 30, citing the continued investigation, restoration work, and preparations for its new exhibition.
In response to a report by Euronews, the theft prompted the Nationwide Historical past of Museum of Romania to declare that it could take authorized motion because of the lack of bodily safety on the time of the artwork theft. Throughout a press convention on January 25, Drents Museum basic director Harry Tupan stated no guards have been bodily current.
The theft additionally prompted an announcement from Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, in line with Artdependence Journal. “Like all Romanians, I’m outraged that objects from the Romanian Treasures assortment have been stolen from a Dutch museum that had no guards,” the Prime Minister stated, referring to the government-owned artwork assortment. “I strongly consider we can’t settle for this.”
Ciolacu stated he was in contact with Dutch authorities in regards to the theft, emphasised the significance of returning the gadgets to Romania, and expressed frustration they’d left the nation within the first place with out higher safety.
“Such helpful objects can’t merely depart the nation on the whim of a museum or a minister,” Ciolacu stated.