Two More Charged in Louvre jewel Heist
Paris, France – Two additional individuals have been charged in connection with the audacious jewel heist at the โLouvre Museum in Paris, French authorities announced โขFriday. This brings the total number of peopleโค charged to five, as investigations continue into the theft of priceless artifacts.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati,โค following a review of the museum’s security, stated that urgent measures are needed toโ address “a chronic underestimation of intrusion โคand theft risks”โค that has persisted for over โ20 years.โข “We can’t continue like this,” she told broadcaster TF1.
An initial report cited inadequate security equipment and “entirely obsolete” intrusion-response protocols. Dati confirmed that “anti-ramming” and “anti-intrusion” devices will be installed around the Louvre before the end of theโ year, with the first barriers โalready under installation. She also noted that while the museum’s internal security systems functioned during the theft, “major security flaws” exist outside the building.
The โขstolen items include an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to empress marie-Louise, and a diamond diadem formerly belonging to โคEmpress eugenie, containing nearly 2,000 diamonds.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars revealed last week that security cameras โคdid not cover the thieves’โ entry point, with the sole camera in the area facing away from the balcony โused for access.
AFP/Reuters/AP
