French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday denounced the spectacular theft of jewelry from the Louvre Museum in Paris as an assault on France’s cultural historical past.
“The theft from the Louvre is an assault on a cultural asset that we worth as a result of it’s a part of our historical past,” mentioned Macron. “We’ll get well the works and convey the perpetrators to justice. Below the management of the Paris public prosecutor’s workplace, all the pieces is being achieved all over the place to realize this.”
Macron mentioned {that a} undertaking to modernize the Louvre that was introduced in January offers for a strengthening of safety measures.
“It can make sure the preservation and safety of what makes up our reminiscence and our tradition,” mentioned the president.
Broadcaster BFMTV has launched extracts from an beginner video exhibiting the burglars finishing up their spectacular coup within the exhibition room containing the French crown jewels.
One of many perpetrators could be seen sporting a high-visibility waistcoat and forcibly opening one of many show circumstances.
Public prosecutor Laure Beccau advised broadcaster BFMTV that eight treasured items of jewelry have been taken. They included a necklace and an earring belonging to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon’s second spouse.
One other necklace, a pair of earrings and a diadem from the collections of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense have been additionally stolen, together with two brooches and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugénie, the spouse of Napoleon III.
Eugénie’s crown, a priceless merchandise adorned with emeralds and a whole bunch of diamonds, was misplaced by the thieves in the course of the heist and later recovered. The crown was reportedly broken.
