“Unfortunately, the Dutch colleagues informed the courier team that went to dismantle and repatriate the exhibition that, from the moment we revealed confidential data from the contract, data that increases the pressure on the investigators, because now the thieves know not only that they stole some important pieces, but also have an idea of the order of magnitude that allows them to blackmail more easily,” said Târnoveanu.
Ernest Oberlander-Târnoveanu was dismissed after 15 years at the helm of the National Museum of History of Romania by the Minister of Culture, Natalia Intotero, who accused him of “being outdone in this aspect of managing a crisis situation and especially in terms of communication.”
The theft of the four Romanian gold treasures from the Drents Museum in late January could cost the Dutch state 5.8 million euros if the artifacts are not recovered. The Drents Museum in Assen insured the Golden Helmet and the three bracelets on loan from Romania for 5.8 million euros. The entire collection of 673 objects is insured for over 30 million euros.
The Dutch government has guaranteed just over 9 million euros of this amount. This means that in the event of theft, loss or damage, the government is partially responsible and must pay for the damages. Only if the value of the damages is higher than that guaranteed by the government will the museum’s insurance come into play.
The three suspects arrested for the theft of the Golden Helmet from Coţofeneşti and three Dacian gold bracelets from the Drents Museum in Assen remain in custody. On Wednesday, the Dutch judiciary extended the mandate for the two men by another 90 days, and the preventive detention of the female suspect was extended by 30 days.
The two men and a woman from Heerhugowaard are suspected of involvement in the museum robbery, which took place on the night of January 24 to 25. As part of the investigation, the police distributed the names and photos of the two male suspects: Bernhard Z. and Douglas W.