One of the suspects in the case of the theft of the helmet from Coțofenești denies everything. But what did the investigators discover?
One of the three suspects in the case of the Drents Museum robbery, after which the helmet from Coțofenești and three Dacian bracelets were stolen, refused to make a deal with the Prosecutor's Office. According to his lawyers, Bernhard Z. (35 years old) claims that he was not present when the museum was broken into, RTV Drenthe and RTL Nieuws report.
The helmet from Coțofenești and the two recovered bracelets. PHOTO: Profimedia
The Dutch station notes that Bernhard Z. was detained just four days after the theft, after the police found his DNA on clothes thrown in a container in Assen, report the two sources, quoted by News.ro.
The clothes featured shards of glass from the museum's broken display cases. The file also shows that the man allegedly bought clothing items and a sports bag that appear to have been used during the robbery. A possible line of defense could be that the suspect only participated in the preparations, not the actual theft.
Two of the suspects accepted a plea deal
The other two defendants reached an agreement with the Prosecutor's Office, but the details were not made public. Jan B. (21) and Douglas W. (37) reportedly pleaded guilty in exchange for reduced sentences.
Part of the agreements also concern the recovery of stolen objects. The prosecutor's office previously announced that, based on the suspects' indications, the golden helmet from Coțofenești and two of the Dacian bracelets were found.
The trial begins on Tuesday
The criminal trial of the three suspects will begin on Tuesday at the court in Assen. The duration of the proceedings depends on how the judge will analyze the agreements already concluded. They can be confirmed or rejected. In the case of Bernhard Z., who denies involvement, the case may require a full review. Three days of hearings have been scheduled for next week.
The prosecutor's office has not yet provided additional details about the agreements reached with the suspects.
One of the most publicized art robberies in the Netherlands
The golden helmet from Coțofenești was stolen on January 25 last year, just before the closing of the exhibition dedicated to the Dacian Empire. The thieves used explosives to force their way in, then smashed the windows and stole the helmet and three bracelets. The helmet and two of the bracelets were recovered and publicly presented on April 2, being later returned to Romania.
The theft of the artefacts is considered one of the most important art heists in the Netherlands in recent years.
Suspects Jan B., Douglas Chesley W. and Bernhard Z. are scheduled to appear in court on April 14, 16 and 17.
“This episode should give us food for thought”
The theft of the Helmet from Coțofenești represents an unpleasant and unfortunate epic, but which ultimately had a happy ending. Especially since the treasure objects are not irreparably damaged and can return to Romania, to the National History Museum.
Romanian heritage specialists say, however, that this incident should be a lesson for all those involved in organizing exhibitions with such valuable heritage objects and that their delivery to museum exhibitions, but also the exhibition, should take place according to better protocols that limit the chances of success of treasure hunters.
“This episode must give us food for thought and draw some lessons. Especially about the way in which the organization and conduct of these exhibitions must be regulated in which important values for the Romanian identity, for the Romanian cultural heritage are presented. The procedures must be well regulated and respected”states Dănuț Huțu, historian and director of the Botoşani County Culture Directorate.
