One of the suspects arrested following last month’s audacious jewel heist at the Louvre has been released without charge, according to his lawyers. The suspect was among seven individuals detained in connection with the robbery, which captivated global audiences due to its bold execution.
Several suspects appeared before magistrates at a Paris court on Saturday. Among them was a man who had been arrested earlier this week but was subsequently released, as confirmed by his legal representatives, Sofia Bougrine and Noemie Gorin. “In these serious crime cases, we find that waves of arrests look more like drift nets,” Ms. Bougrine commented, criticizing what she described as the indiscriminate nature of the arrests.
The Heist That Shocked the World
On October 19, thieves armed with power tools executed a daring robbery at the Louvre, the world’s most visited art museum. The heist, which took place in broad daylight, lasted only seven minutes and resulted in the theft of jewelry valued at approximately $102 million. The thieves used a truck with a moving lift to access a gallery window during opening hours, employing cutting gear to break into a first-floor gallery.
French authorities initially detained two men, charging them with theft and criminal conspiracy after they “partially admitted to the charges,” according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. These men are suspected of being the ones who physically entered the gallery while two accomplices remained outside. The stolen items, however, remain missing.
Security Measures Under Scrutiny
The heist has reignited debate over the Louvre’s security protocols. France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati announced on Friday that “anti-ramming” devices would be installed around the museum by the year’s end. Speaking to broadcaster TF1, Ms. Dati emphasized the urgency of addressing security shortcomings, citing a chronic underestimation of intrusion and theft risks over the past two decades.
“For more than 20 years, there has been a chronic underestimation of intrusion and theft risks,” Ms. Dati stated. “We can’t continue like this.”
According to an initial report on the museum’s security systems, there were significant inadequacies, including outdated intrusion-response protocols. The Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, noted that security cameras failed to adequately capture the thieves’ point of entry, with the only camera installed facing away from the balcony used by the intruders.
Future Security Enhancements
In response to these findings, Ms. Dati confirmed that “anti-ramming” and “anti-intrusion” devices would be installed before the end of the year. Ms. des Cars mentioned last week that the first of several “anti-ramming” barriers was already being set up outside the museum.
The missing pieces include a historically significant emerald-and-diamond necklace once gifted by Napoleon I to his wife, Empress Marie-Louise, and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugenie, adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds. The cultural and historical value of these items adds to the urgency of recovering them and enhancing the museum’s security.
Implications and Next Steps
The release of one suspect without charge highlights the complexities involved in the investigation. As authorities continue to search for the missing jewels, the Louvre’s security measures remain under intense scrutiny. The museum’s response to the heist could serve as a precedent for other cultural institutions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of robust security systems in protecting invaluable cultural heritage.
Moving forward, the installation of new security measures and the ongoing investigation will be closely monitored by both the public and the art world. The outcome may influence future policies and practices in museum security, ensuring that such audacious heists are less likely to occur.
