BREAKING: Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the audacious theft of a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the ancient artifact, which belonged to the pharaoh King Amenemope, was stolen by a restoration specialist and subsequently melted down.
Authorities announced the shocking disappearance of the bracelet from the museum’s restoration laboratory on September 13, 2023, detailing that the theft occurred just four days earlier, on September 9. The bracelet, adorned with a distinctive spherical lapis lazuli bead, was securely stored in an iron safe before it was illicitly removed.
According to police reports, the restoration specialist collaborated with a silver shop owner to orchestrate the theft. The bracelet was sold to a gold workshop owner for 180,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $5,600 USD), only to be resold for 194,000 Egyptian pounds and subsequently melted down with other jewelry pieces. The entire operation highlights a disturbing breach of trust within the museum, especially as preparations are underway for an upcoming exhibition in Rome featuring 130 Pharaonic items.
The arrests come just weeks before the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, set for November 1, 2023, near the iconic pyramids. Museum officials have expressed deep concern over the incident, especially following previous thefts, including a significant loss of artifacts in 2004 and the theft of items from King Tutankhamun’s collection in 2011.
With the growing emphasis on preserving Egypt’s rich history, this brazen act of theft raises alarm about security measures at cultural institutions. The arrested individuals have confessed to their roles in the crime, and authorities are working to recover the stolen funds.
As investigations continue, the public watches closely, eager to see how the Egyptian authorities will bolster security in light of these alarming events. Expect updates as this story develops.
