Six Suspects to Stand Trial over Green Vault Heist
January 03, 22
(IDEX Online) - Six men will go on trial later this month in Germany over what has been described as the world's biggest gem heist - 4,300 diamonds, with an insured value of at least $129m.
Security guards watched raiders live on CCTV as they smashed their way into The Green Vault at Dresden's royal palace, one of the world's oldest museums, in November 2019.
Stolen treasures included the famous 18th century 49-carat Dresden white diamond bought by August the Strong, then Elector of Saxony, and valued at $12m, as well as a sword encrusted with nine large and 770 smaller diamonds.
The trial of the six suspects, all German nationals aged 22 to 28, will begin on 28 January, with court dates scheduled until the end of March, according to the DPA news agency.
They are accused of organised robbery and arson - starting a fire to disrupt the power supply to street lights before the raid.
Police pic shows some of the priceless treasures that were stolen