New Indictments in the Louvre Museum Burglary Case
Two new individuals have been charged in connection with the recent burglary at the Louvre museum, according to a source close to the case. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, revealed that a 37-year-old suspect was charged with “organised gang theft” and “criminal conspiracy.” A 38-year-old woman is also accused of being an accomplice. Both individuals were detained following the incident.
Despite the charges, both suspects denied any involvement, as stated by the prosecutor. This comes after police arrested five people on Wednesday in relation to the case. One of the suspects was linked to the crime through DNA evidence, while three others were released without any charges, according to Beccuau.
“One of them was indeed one of the investigators’ targets, and we had him in our sights,” she said during an interview on French radio network RTL. Beccuau added that “DNA traces” were found at the scene of the crime.
The other arrests involved individuals who could provide valuable information about the burglary, though no further details were disclosed. During a press conference on Wednesday, Beccuau mentioned that the two individuals arrested on Saturday evening, who were suspected of involvement in the high-profile theft, “partially admitted their involvement.”
Debate Over Security Measures at the Louvre
The “heist of the century” has sparked intense discussions about the security measures at the Louvre, which is the world’s most visited art museum. On Friday, Culture Minister Rachida Dati presented the initial findings from the investigation conducted by the General Inspectorate of Cultural Affairs. Her assessment was highly critical, highlighting a “chronic, structural underestimation of the risk of intrusion and theft” by the Louvre. She also pointed out that the museum’s security systems are “under-equipped,” and its governance is “inappropriate.” Additionally, she described the protocols for responding to theft and intrusion as “totally obsolete.”
Dati noted that the alarms at the Louvre functioned properly during the theft but acknowledged there were “security flaws.” “We can’t go on like this,” she emphasized, as reported by Le Figaro.
In response to the incident, the Louvre, which has faced increased scrutiny following the theft of the crown jewels, will install anti-intrusion and anti-vehicle devices on the public highway before the end of the year, as announced by the Culture Minister.
The Theft and Its Implications
The thieves used a truck-mounted cherry picker to access a window in the Apollo gallery and managed to steal eight crown jewels within minutes. This audacious act has raised serious concerns about the museum’s security infrastructure.
This week, the French Senate examined the shortcomings in the surveillance system and assigned responsibility for the breach. Several lawmakers and trade unions questioned whether the minister’s actions represent real reform or merely symbolic gestures.
Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre, has previously called for physical barriers to prevent vehicles from parking near the most vulnerable display cases. She also advocated for the establishment of a police station directly within the museum’s perimeter. This move aims to enhance security at a site that attracts over 8 million visitors annually.
