Paris Soir - Dutch court jails trio over Romanian golden helmet theft

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Dutch court jails trio over Romanian golden helmet theft

CULTURE 05.06.2026

Dutch court jails trio over Romanian golden helmet theft / Photo: Daniel MIHAILESCU - AFP

A Dutch court Friday handed jail terms to three men convicted of the brazen theft of a 2,500-year-old golden Romanian helmet that sparked outrage in Romania and the art world.

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The court sentenced the trio to terms of nearly four years (47 months) for stealing the fifth-century BC Helmet of Cotofenesti and three gold bracelets from a Dutch museum in January 2025.

"Given the nature and gravity of the offenses, only a substantial prison sentence will suffice," said the court in Assen, in the north of the Netherlands.

The heist and subsequent search for the loot has gripped the Netherlands and regularly made headline news.

In a dramatic development in April, authorities revealed they had recovered the helmet and two of the three bracelets after striking a bargain with two of the suspects.

Under huge pressure from Romania, Dutch police offered to reduce sentences for the robbers if they gave up the location of the booty.

The third bracelet however is still missing, with the search ongoing.

The helmet itself -- a national treasure in Romania -- suffered only slight damage and was returned to Bucharest in a near-perfect state.

Q.Mathieu--PS