Transcription
We begin with a major development in the Louve jewelry theft. In the past few hours, French authorities announced they have arrested two suspects in connection with the heist. Thieves broke into the Paris Museum shortly after it opened last Sunday. They used a freight lift to access the floor housing France's crown jewels. They included treasures from the Napoleon era with an estimated value of €8 million. Let's bring in DW correspondent Anchel Vora who is keeping a close eye on this developing story. Anchal, what more do we know about all of this so far?
Well, we have a confirmation from the Paris prosecutor being reported that indeed suspects have been taken into custody. There is so far uh no clarity whether these suspects are in possession of these jewels or not. However, one of these suspects was apparently trying to fly out of the country. just one. Uh also the number of suspects taken into custody so far being reported is two whereas initial reporting suggests that four people the total number of thieves is in fact four.
Several security lapses have uh come to light including uh the French authorities admitting that there was a blind spot that the thieves made use of. In one of the areas where the re the theft was carried out, there was no security camera. This has alarmed French authorities and uh uh really begs a question if there should be more security around uh cultural institutions in France. This is not the only theft that's uh taken place in recent months. There was one last month uh at the history museum and a Chinese woman was taken into custody. There was one less than 24 hours after this theft in uh uh in the Louv in a museum in eastern France. So a lot of these questions are now popping up sort of you know demanding that French authority takes a look at the security of these institutions.
Now Anchel there's been a lot of talk about of course where the jewels are. Are we ever going to see the jewels again? Um you touched on it there but have is there any more information about where these jewels are or whether the police have any idea of whether they'll be getting them back?
Well, that's an important question. The authorities have not yet said whether the suspects they have arrested are in possession of these jewels or not. That might be the case. That might not be the case. That information is not yet available. And I must emphasize that these are suspects. These are still being described as suspects. May or may not be the actual thieves. Uh uh um having said that, the French authorities has uh uh reportedly moved the unstolen jewels from uh the museum to a safe place to a bank. uh we have learned and also that the total number of items that the thieves took were eight items including some jewels that belong to Napoleon's wife.
All right, great to get that update from you Anal. And great to have someone keeping a very close eye on this developing story and of course we'll be bringing everybody uh the latest as we get it. Uh, thank you DW correspondent Anchel Thora.