Dutch and Romanian authorities confirmed the recovery of the ancient Coțofenești golden helmet, approximately 2,500 years old, one of Romania's most priceless treasures that is beyond valuation, after it was stolen from a museum in the Netherlands over a year ago.
The Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands, displayed the 2,500-year-old Coțofenești golden helmet and two gold bracelets, artifacts dating back to around 450 BCE, amid tight security and armed police surveillance following their theft last year, which shocked both Romania and the Netherlands.
This golden helmet is a key political and social symbol of the Dacian civilization that flourished before the Roman invasion. It was stolen while on loan for an exhibition titled "Dacia - The Kingdom of Gold and Silver."
Korien Fahner, a Dutch prosecutor, revealed that these artifacts were returned to authorities on Wednesday (1 Apr) as a result of negotiations between prosecutors and lawyers for three suspects—two men around 30 years old and one aged 21—as part of a pre-trial agreement ahead of proceedings scheduled for later this month.
The suspects were arrested just days after they used explosives to break into the museum, though at that time officials found no trace of the stolen artifacts. Art experts believe this was a targeted theft orchestrated by an international criminal network.
Robert van Langh, director of the Drents Museum, stated that the golden helmet has minor dents but can be restored, while both bracelets remain in good condition. However, another gold bracelet is still missing and under investigation.
This incident not only triggered disputes between the Romanian and Dutch governments, resulting in the Netherlands paying insurance compensation of €5.7 million (about 200 million baht), but also led to the dismissal of the former director of the National History Museum in Bucharest amid heavy criticism for allowing the artifacts to be exhibited abroad.
The case highlights ongoing security issues at local Dutch museums, which are often targeted by thieves due to insufficient protection for priceless objects, similar to recent thefts of artworks by Andy Warhol and Frans Hals from smaller museums in recent years.
Romanian prosecutor Daniela Buruiana expressed her satisfaction, saying, "This is the outcome we have long awaited. We are pleased to see the national treasure recovered and returned to the Romanian people."
,BBC