Romania received the compensation for the theft of the helmet from Coțofenești and the Dacian bracelets in the Duits Museum. How much money does the Romanian state receive
Exhibits from the exhibition the ancient gold and silver of Romania, left, Inquam Photos / Bogdan Dănescu and the golden helmet from Coțofenești. Collage: Ion Mateș / Hotnews
The compensation for the helmet from Coțofenești and three Dacian gold bracelets, stolen in January 2025 from the Museum of the Netherlands, was fully paid by the insurance company, the Ministry of Culture announced on Saturday.
“The National Museum of History of Romania confirmed that the full amount related to the insurance policy, respectively 5,700,000 euros, was transferred by the insurer, according to the contract concluded between the parties. This represents the insurance value of the four artifacts stolen: three bracelets and the Dacian helmet from Coţofeneşti”, the Ministry of Culture said.
The last installment, worth 855,000 euros, representing 15% of the total value, was transferred on September 12, the previous payment worth 4,845,000 euros, representing 85% of the total value, being made on August 25, the same source said.
The ministry also transmitted that the amount is to be transferred to the state budget.
The institution also states that, when restitution of insured objects, the insurer will request the value of insurance from the museum which, in turn, will request the money from the state budget.
On the night of January 24 to 25, from the Museum Drents, which housed the exhibition “Dacia, gold and silver empire”, were stolen from Coțofenești and three gold bracelets, which had been borrowed from a museum in Romania. The thieves entered the exhibition after they detonated an entrance with a handmade bomb. For this exhibition, the Dutch state had guaranteed the insurers that it would pay damages of 5.7 million euros in case of theft.
In the file of the theft of the Dacian treasure there were two hearings. The first public hearing in the file took place in early May, and the second at the end of July. The third hearing is expected in October.
The three suspects in the case of the robbery are Douglas Chesley W. (36 years), Bernhard Z. (35) and Jan B. (20 years). Douglas and Bernahrd were tried, and Jan was arrested on April 23.
