Web Desk; French authorities have arrested suspects linked to the daring jewellery heist at the Louvre Museum, just as one of them was preparing to fly out of the country, the Paris prosecutor announced on Sunday.
According to Le Parisien, two men in their 30s, both residents of Seine-Saint-Denis — a suburb known for its deprived areas — were detained on Saturday evening. The newspaper reported that one of them was about to board a flight to Algeria from Charles de Gaulle Airport when apprehended.
The men were already known to French police, though there has been no confirmation yet on whether any of the stolen crown jewels have been recovered.
Prosecutor Criticises Leak of Arrest Details
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau declined to specify how many individuals were taken into custody or reveal further information about them. In a statement, she expressed frustration over the premature media leak of the arrests.
“This revelation can only hinder the work of the hundred or so investigators currently mobilised to recover the stolen jewellery and apprehend all the culprits. It is too early to share concrete details,” she said.
French Interior Minister Praises Investigators
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, under pressure a week after the high-profile theft, congratulated investigators in a social media post but also refrained from disclosing details.
Audacious Robbery Stuns France
On October 19, four masked thieves made off with eight precious artefacts valued at around $102 million from the Louvre’s royal collection. The robbers reportedly used a crane to smash an upstairs window during opening hours before fleeing on motorbikes.
The heist — one of the most daring in recent French history — triggered widespread outrage and reflection over museum security, with many calling it a “national embarrassment.”
Historic Treasures Lost
The stolen items included jewellery belonging to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, as well as a crown once worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. The crown was later discovered damaged outside the museum, apparently dropped during the thieves’ escape.
Louvre’s Legacy
The Louvre Palace, originally built in the late 12th century as a royal residence, became a museum after the French Revolution in 1793. Today, it houses some of the world’s most famous artworks, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, attracting 8.7 million visitors last year.
